I just changed all the ujoints on my 80 chev 4x4...

took me 4.5 hours to do this as they were really old and stuck... (and rusted out.. didnt find a single needle bearing in a single joint, just rust)

I would like to replace all 6 on my corvette.. but I hate u-joints and would like to know if anyone has a trick for putting them in..

I had to pick up the needle bearings off the floor probably twenty times..

surely someone knows a sure fire way to get them setup right ??

Ben, go to AutoZone and rent a Ball joint press. You get a full refund when you take it back and it cost you nothing.

Far Far easier. In some ways it's even easier than a press if you have and impact gun to run it instead of a ratched or wrench.

Pack the bearings in the caps with plenty of grease to hold the bearings in place. Don't fill the caps or the hydraulic effect makes it difficult to install.

You could also take them to a local shop along witht the parts and have them do them for you. Thats even less work, just harder on the wallet. Most places I have been too charge 5 to 10 dollars per u joint to press out and install the new ones. Off the car of course.

I do them with a vise and a big socket. Greasing the bearings in place is the key. Joe

Vise, socket, and bearing grease.