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Topic: Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 10/1/02 4:32pm Message 1 of 9
Former Member
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ATOKA, TN - USA
Joined: 9/25/2002
Posts: 120
Vette(s): 1975 Coupe, 1998 Coupe, 2000 coupe
Has anyone changed out their U-joints. I already have the new U-joints and getting ready to set aside a weekend to begin the project. Any help would be much appreciated. I have changed U-joints on other car's driveshafts, but never on a vette and never changed out the yoke assemblies.



1975/L48/Coupe/4 Speed(1 of 1057)/Headers/true duals/aluminum intake/holley 750/MSD ignition/roller rockers/ |IMG|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/1701_1800/1717/BSVette75d_sig.jpg |/IMG|
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Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 10/4/02 8:47am Message 2 of 9
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Grand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
I haven't done this yet, but I will be in the next couple years. Sure would be nice if you took pictures along the way and post them to the site along with an overview of the work involved.
Thanks
|smokin|


Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 10/4/02 10:21am Message 3 of 9
Former Member
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ATOKA, TN - USA
Joined: 9/25/2002
Posts: 120
Vette(s): 1975 Coupe, 1998 Coupe, 2000 coupe
Sounds like a good idea. I have a digital cam, so I'll document as I go.


1975/L48/Coupe/4 Speed(1 of 1057)/Headers/true duals/aluminum intake/holley 750/MSD ignition/roller rockers/ |IMG|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/1701_1800/1717/BSVette75d_sig.jpg |/IMG|

Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 10/4/02 12:38pm Message 4 of 9
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GREENSBURG, PA - USA
Joined: 12/4/2001
Posts: 259
Vette(s): 1976 L48 RoadDemon carb, Weiand intake, 3:36 gears, DUALS.
I bought my brother-in-law 2 six-packs and he changed all 6 for me... |thumb|


Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 10/5/02 10:40am Message 5 of 9
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KETCHIKAN, AK - USA
Joined: 2/7/2002
Posts: 86
Vette(s): 73 custom coupe stingray 4:11 rear,502 cid.
|thumb| It's pretty much the same as any other car, but I did find it was easier to put the new ones into the yokes first, then the drivelines. No worrys. |hammer|


Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 10/5/02 2:22pm Message 6 of 9
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
Just like woody1 said. It's like any other car.
I just finished putting in all new universals in my '81 the other night. I was isolating each component (i.e. wheel bearings/differential/pinion bearings) by removing the halfshafts, so I could rotate each component sepately and listen and feel for my "mystery" vibration my car picked up the other day. Well in the process of removal, I bumped the end of the halfshaft and the end cap with all the needle bearings in it hit the ground and flew all over the place. So 80 bucks and a 12pk of Coors later(=2.5 hrs.)I changed all of them.
It should take you about 3-4hrs to do. I had a lift and torches to use, which cuts down on the work time. Just make sure that the new joints don't bind when they are installed. If they bind up, take about a 7/8" socket and a hammer and tap one side of the universal joint (where the retainer clip is). If it gets tighter then tap the opposite side until the joint turns freely.
Have fun! |hammer| Sarge



GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 12/9/02 5:27pm Message 7 of 9
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Va. Beach, VA - USA
Joined: 5/11/2002
Posts: 9
Vette(s): 1974 Conv. 350 4sp
I changed mine in my 74 a couple of months ago. It was easy but did require a press to get the old u joints out of the half shafts and to install the new ones. Remember to check the placement of the zerk fittings if you are installing ones with the fittings. If you are not carfull the fittings will not be accesible. (I know this from experience.)

Have fun
Tony


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Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 12/11/02 10:58pm Message 8 of 9
Former Member
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ATOKA, TN - USA
Joined: 9/25/2002
Posts: 120
Vette(s): 1975 Coupe, 1998 Coupe, 2000 coupe
I was a prepared to start replacing the U-joints when I developed a brake failure, which I believe I have finally narrowed down the problem. As soon as I can get the time, I'm going to start on the rearend. I am going to go ahead and install the stainless still parking brake hardware, turn the rotors while I have them off and do the U-joints. Thanks for the input.



1975/L48/Coupe/4 Speed(1 of 1057)/Headers/true duals/aluminum intake/holley 750/MSD ignition/roller rockers/ |IMG|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/1701_1800/1717/BSVette75d_sig.jpg |/IMG|

Changing U-joints (driveshaft and yokes)

Posted: 12/13/02 12:14am Message 9 of 9
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Annapolis, MD - USA
Joined: 11/7/2001
Posts: 225
Vette(s): 1965 white with red stinger Coupe HotRod 1970 Bridgehampton Blue Convertible - NCRS / Stock 2019 Sebring Orange Coupe 3LT Gone but not forgotten: 1987 Yellow Convertible 2003 Yellow Convertible 2007 Atomic Orange Coupe 2007 Lemans Blue coupe
I just changed the U-joints in my C4 last weekend. I did the C3 rear suspension this past spring - but I took the entire T-arm assy and half shafts and diff to Tony's Corvette for new U-joints, powder coating, T-arm rebuilding, new rotors (turned with the assy) etc, etc...

1) ONLY use Spicer U-joints. The other brands are crap.
2) Make sure if you decide to use U-joints with Zerks they're installed in compression, not tension as they tend to break at the zerk.
3) In 1970 they came with solid Spicer U-joints, no zerks. I'm not sure about the later years. The current Heavy Duty Spicers are as close configuration wise as you can get to the originals (at last for 1970).

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/juliet/rearsusp.htm


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in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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