How do I get this:


in to replace this:


Can I just cut the old U joint out, then tap the caps off each and and slide the new u-joint in and press the caps back in place?

 

Nevermind:

 

how did ya do it?

 

where'd you get the u-joints?

 

lemme guess you beat the hell out of it then finally asked somebody how to do it and they told you to use a torch to melt the plastic out of the factory one??

dont ask me how i know how to do it.....

 

U-Joint from Autozone. $16

I beat on it awhile. Decided that wasn't working. Took it down to the auto hobby shop on the base I work at. The 3 guys that work there just happen to be Chevy guys.
We grabbed a torch and melted all the teflon/nylon whatever out of it. Let it cool. Beat the out of the shaft with 5lb sledge (above the weld, its stronger) in a vice with the other 2 arms of the old joint holding it up above the vice. Once the cap popped off, flipped it over and beat the other side until the cap popped off. Remove and replace with new joint. Tap the new caps back on the new joint careful not to lose or screw up any bearings in the new joint. Insert retainer C clips.

 

Then clean off all rust with this:


Sand and paint with Rust-o-leum:

 

That drive shaft looks awesome man. It looks like you spent a lot of time on the driveshaft and it shows.

 

The hobby shop is the best place in the world, lol. I used to work there part time at my last base and it was the best. I used to be in there at like 3am working on my own stuff, and i kept the keys when i left .

 

Is the new joint sealed? Or greasable?

The greasable u-joints are tapped with zerk fittings and are hollow in the inside making them very weak.

The reason I ask is because a local shop installed a greasable u-joint and I snapped it in just 2 weeks and damaged the driveshaft. Horrible experience and cost me about $400 in repairs for a $20 u-joint.