Stubborn half shaft UJ's

Technical advice Q&A

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265bhp
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#1 Stubborn half shaft UJ's

Post by 265bhp » Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:25 pm

Evening all
I have tried to remove these using the method in the maintenance manual, but I suspect that if original these universal joints have 50 years holding them in place and need something more determined than taps
Are the UJ cups tapered...or can I try the other approach of a pair of sockets and either the vice or a press..?..just wondering if they have to be pressed out from the yolks or can be pushed through them
Advice please
Thanks
Jonathan
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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tim wood
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#2

Post by tim wood » Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:34 pm

My only note is that when faced with a similar problem some years back I used the vice and sockets method plus a extension bar on the vice handle.

Result, broken vice and steadfast UJs

Tim
Series 1 FHC purchased 50 years ago. Courted my wife in it.
Series 1 2+2 when the kids were small now sold.
Series 1.5 OTS in opalescent maroon, Californian car. My retirement present.

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265bhp
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#3

Post by 265bhp » Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:49 pm

Hi Tim
So what did you do then....?...so long as they are not tapered I can safely try a press..the vice isn't generating enough force I can tell already having tried..!
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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265bhp
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#4

Post by 265bhp » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:06 pm

Hi Tim
So what did you do then....?...so long as they are not tapered I can safely try a press..the vice isn't generating enough force I can tell already having tried..!
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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mgcjag
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#5

Post by mgcjag » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:11 pm

Hi Jonathan...to shock them out they need more than a tap they need a good whack wtih a big hammer it does work......also try using a thin punch from inside to knock them out,
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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Quattrofrank
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#6

Post by Quattrofrank » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:12 pm

Used a vice and two sockets to do mine, worked fine.

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abowie
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#7

Post by abowie » Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:21 pm

They are not tapered.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1979 MGB (supercharged).
Adelaide, Australia

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#8

Post by 265bhp » Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:23 pm

Good to know it's OK to push them inwards.....Brute force with a socket and a lump hammer has shifted 3 of the cups slightly, so at least the principle seems to work...garage floor is taking a pounding and showing the marks too..😊...have left them with some penetrating oil overnight...lets see what tomorrow evening brings....might even use the angle grinder to cut the joints so I can knock all cups inwards...lets see
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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Durango2k
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#9

Post by Durango2k » Tue Apr 26, 2016 4:41 am

I had to cut the old ones and then it's simple.

Carsten
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650

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tim wood
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#10

Post by tim wood » Tue Apr 26, 2016 4:33 pm

Sorry, definitely not tapered.
Used the large hammer and shock method. Nowadays I would use my mates press to get the old ones out. After a good clean of the bores and the circlip grooves the new ones should press in easily enough using a vice.

Make sure you don't displace the needle rollers during assembly as this then makes the job a real sod. Plenty of grease and gentle progress.

Some stories of poor quality joints so best to make sure and use a reliable supplier.
Series 1 FHC purchased 50 years ago. Courted my wife in it.
Series 1 2+2 when the kids were small now sold.
Series 1.5 OTS in opalescent maroon, Californian car. My retirement present.

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mgcjag
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#11

Post by mgcjag » Tue Apr 26, 2016 5:51 pm

But the hard bit is to get the first one out....either by shock or punch from inside out.....
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#12

Post by 265bhp » Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:57 pm

Hi guys

One side done..the outer 4 were the first 4 and they were more tricky..inner 4 much easier..although by then I was belting the socket with much more confidence ..!..angle grinder cutter also has come in useful I should say

So far 3 different styles of circlips...😎

Will post pictures of the carnage once second side complete

Thanks for the guidance

Jonathan
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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abowie
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#13

Post by abowie » Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:21 am

I think the statement that the cups will come out with a sharp tap from a hammer is the best joke I have ever seen in a service manual.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1979 MGB (supercharged).
Adelaide, Australia

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Mich7920
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#14

Post by Mich7920 » Wed Apr 27, 2016 5:19 pm

...And yet it moves...no, it works!
A service manuel is made for a car with max 10/15 years old, ours get 55 !
So don't be surprised that some explanation don't work as fine as you would like.
it's normal.
But sure with a big hard plastic mallet, it's work fine.
I change all of mine on my OTS 1963, nearly all came with the hammer but to be hannest, some came with the press !
The problem was that a guy before me used a iron hammer, so there where mark on the parts.
Forget the hammer ! it's hurt all the parts !
Mich
Michel
1965 E Type FHC - On the road / 1963 E Type OTS - on the road after Angus Restoration

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#15

Post by 265bhp » Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:11 pm

all done... :)
as with all these things it became easier the more I did....i think I just got the worst one first...inners were easier than outers....

Image

now a question please...there seem to be various offerings of UJ's from SNG, David Manners and XK Unlimited....SNG have them at ?14, ?28 and ?70 each...described as "upgraded"...does anyone have any experience of which ones are the best to choose

Many thanks
Jonathan
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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#16

Post by JagWaugh » Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:17 pm

Johnathan,

Take them into a local GKN driveline shop and ask their price... I would almost bet that it would be less to have them replace with their own, known quality, probably with a guarantee for less than 4x 70gbp

Andrew

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#17

Post by 265bhp » Mon May 02, 2016 7:31 pm

Good idea Andrew, will try them tomorrow
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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steve3.8
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#18

Post by steve3.8 » Mon May 02, 2016 8:39 pm

265bhp wrote:all done... :)

now a question please...there seem to be various offerings of UJ's from SNG, David Manners and XK Unlimited....SNG have them at ?14, ?28 and ?70 each...described as "upgraded"...does anyone have any experience of which ones are the best to choose

Many thanks
Jonathan

Jonathan ,

Although the joints will have the same outer cup diameters the upgraded / heavy duty ones have deeper cups that allow longer needle rollers , they also have a slightly larger pin diameter and steel capped seals .

GKN joints also come with quality tempered circlips , this item an it's fit is where care and attention is most needed ! , if you cut a piece off an old circlip and grind the end square it can be used with long nosed pliers to clean the grooves out in the yokes.

Steve
Steve3.8

64 3.8 fhc, 67 4.2 fhc

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