Removing U joint on lower steering column

[pmansson]

How is this best done?
For periodic greasing of the the nipple , and now in particular as one of the 4 heads came off when driving. The circlip must have been partly out of its groove and finally came out (or broke sometime ago??)

[Heuer]

You should not need to remove it to reach the grease nipple. The original ones had no grease nipple and given the location the bearings dry out very quickly - maybe why people think the E-Type has heavy steering!

Best way to tackle the job is to remove the upper steering column (take the opportunity to restore the in-car u/j if it is not free moving) and this should allow enough room to move the lower steering column assembly backwards and give you enough room to remove the joint. You can easily buy new journals for the yokes. Remove the circlips and press out the journals with a hex socket and vice. Reverse the process to install the new ones. Worthwhile job doing and you will be amazed at the difference it makes to the steering. As the new journals have a grease nipple they are easily maintained.

[pmansson]

Thanks,
are upper and lower UJ the same part? so that I can order 2 identical ones.
I don?t have the parts book with me.
Bushes and gaiters...?

Best,
Peder

[Heuer]

Yes, they are the same part: http://tinyurl.com/337lbxk No need for bushes and gaiters unless they are knackered.


Don't forget we have all the parts and service manuals in pdf format in our Library specifically for those who do not have them to hand, when on the road for example: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1664