I'm planning on a little preventative maintenance on my F150. The rear drive shaft has all new u-joints and I would like to replace the front before I have to use 4x4 this year. Usually I just let the joints soak in some oil until they are good lubed enough to push out. Any tips or tricks out there to make it a quicker or easier or safer process. I know the way I knock them out can be risky.
What say you?
P-oil and shop press always worked for me. If they still won't budge preload the press and apply OA heat. I had some really corroded u-joints stick until using preload and heat... E36 M3 flew everywhere but they popped out and cleaned up well.
fasted58 wrote:E36 M3 flew everywhere
Safety glasses, check. Not that I was doing it without... 
Read up on the hammer technique. It's a whole lot easier and faster than using a vice and sockets.
Is there a double cardon joint at one end? That one may be best left to a professional, as this professional still fights with them after 30 years...
Burn the cross out with a cutting torch, then knock the caps out with a punch.
No chance of bending the yoke, hurting yourself or screwing up your vice.
That being said, my 4wd balljoint press is the best thing ever for u-joints. I haven't found a single one that it wouldn't push out.
Shawn
