Staked in U joints

Tristanm42

Anyone got any other tricks to get these joints out other than just brute force having a hard time getting them out

MazdaMitch

Tristanm42 have you read this??
https://mazdaminitruckin.com/universal-joint-replacement/

Cusser

Because of the staked type, and I also had zero U-joint experience, last year I "let" a local driveline shop handle installing 3 new U-joints and a new carrier bearing, and balancing. I was correct in my diagnosis; but more than one U-joint was bad.

That was about $700.

kz6fittycent

Cusser WHOA! $700??

MazdaMitch

I used a press to get them out, and a dremel to wear down the indents so that I could use newer ujoints.

Cusser

kz6fittycent WHOA! $700??

Yep, $700 just for the drive shaft re-do. This is Phoenix AZ, stuff is expensive here, and shop rates for mechanics are generally $195 an hour, and significantly more at dealerships and in Scottsdale. And the drive shaft shop (downtown Phoenix) had it an extra day, as either the carrier bearing or one of the U-joints that arrived was the wrong size. It was either that or junk/sell the truck.

First I actually asked the local mechanic I use, and he didn't do staked U-joints, and doesn't have a driver to take parts to such shop.

Rdsmith

I cut the cross joint out (angle grinder) so I could drive the caps inward from the outside. After that, I ground out the little burr in the holes, finished with clips on the new u joint.

SLee

Same thing here! Had mine done at a drive line shop. I was told I could not buy these joints locally.
Don't know what size kind he installed in my shaft, but I had the whole shaft rebuilt and balanced.
The new joints have grease fittings on them. I want to say I paid about $500.00. But that has been about 4 years ago.
It was cheaper than buying a new one at the time.

Axel-Breaker-Earl

I have several spare driveshafts that I have kept over the years. I have also rebuilt two or three of them, either partially, or fully. I use my Dremel tool with a small thin grinding disc and remove most of the "stakes" with that, then press them out with the hydraulic press. Clean up the remaining staked areas, and install the new U-joints.......toughest part these days is finding a decent U-joint that fits properly!