How to Change a U Joint

[350VortecSSCT]

Never changed one before, 1998 tahoe, 4wd...way to do it and tools.

 

["350Vortec"]

If your talking the rear drive shaft, then get under there, look at the side of the driveshaft closest to the rear of the truck, you will see clamps holding it on each side. Two screws in each clamp. Take both clamps off. Then grab the driveshaft and slowly pull it out of the case. It should slide out easy. Then I personally used a plasma cutter and just cut my old ones off. But you can use the method of resting the joint on a vice and banging out each side. Search you tube. lots of vids on how to do it, Imo, if your changing one. Change the other. Its a waste to do just one.

 

[350VortecSSCT]

Front DriveShaft...and the driveshaft seems smaller than the rear one in diameter

 

[TahoeGoBoom]

If your lazy like me, take it to a shop. lol. 80 bucks for both on the front.

 

[Bad bow tie]

I just did it last week. I did the ones on the rear though. I did it the way 350Vortec described with banging the shit out of it with a BFH on a bench vise. I also had to replace the slip yoke because after close inspection, it had a hair line crack all the way around. It took less than an hour. I assume it is the same for the front as the rear but idk, I have never did the ones on the front. $80 for both being done at a shop isn't too bad considering I paid just under $40 for the two u joints on the rear. The fronts may be cheaper though.

 

["350Vortec"]

I just did it last week. I did the ones on the rear though. I did it the way 350Vortec described with banging the shit out of it with a BFH on a bench vise. I also had to replace the slip yoke because after close inspection, it had a hair line crack all the way around. It took less than an hour. I assume it is the same for the front as the rear but idk, I have never did the ones on the front. $80 for both being done at a shop isn't too bad considering I paid just under $40 for the two u joints on the rear. The fronts may be cheaper though.

Fronts are more expensive, I paid $30 for both my rear shaft joints. I was gonna do all four but the fronts would have been $60 alone. Sucks alot lol. Heat up your joints a little bit before you bang em out. But not to much or you will egg the metal and make for a ****** time puttin new ones back in

 

[TahoeGoBoom]

Fronts are more expensive, I paid $30 for both my rear shaft joints. I was gonna do all four but the fronts would have been $60 alone. Sucks alot lol. Heat up your joints a little bit before you bang em out. But not to much or you will egg the metal and make for a ****** time puttin new ones back in

the fronts are 60 alone? i thought they were 40..
maybe i pay less for labor than i thought. lmao

 

["350Vortec"]

the fronts are 60 alone? i thought they were 40..
maybe i pay less for labor than i thought. lmao

That was from advanced auto parts there pretty steep

 

[Bad bow tie]

I bought mine at Napa.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

a better trick then a damn vice... put a old craftsman socket a little larger then the diameter of the ujoint. put the socket right under the driveshaft where your pounding out the old ujoint and itll slide right through the socket.. idk. its easier if i had pics. and it beats having to carry that bigass driveshaft around with you to your vise..