So Fix it

Automotive U-joints are normally located on either end of the drive shaft between the transmission and rear axle on rear-wheel-drive vehicles, or between the transaxle and wheels in front-wheel-drive cars. Because of their location, these U-joints are susceptible to rust because of their exposure to water and road salts. Although rubber boots cover the U-joints on front-wheel-drive vehicles, the boots will eventually fail and allow the elements in. With time the rubber seals on the U-joint bearing caps fail and let the corrosive elements inside the cap, causing the needle bearings to rust and corrode. Getting out these rusty U-joints looks difficult, but is actually relatively simple.

Instructions

1

Remove the drive shaft from the vehicle.

2

Remove the snap rings over all four U-joint bearing caps by putting the tips of an inside snap ring pliers into the holes in the snap ring, squeezing the handle of the pliers to compress the snap ring, and pulling the snap ring away from the bearing cap. Clean all grease and grime off the U-joint bearing caps with a shop rag.

3

Choose the appropriate size receiver cup and anvil from a C-clamp U-joint press kit. Slip the receiver cup into the large hole at one end of the C-clamp. Slide the anvil onto the end of the threaded pressure shaft at the other end of the C-clamp.

4

Position the U-joint press so the receiver cup is over one cap in the yoke and the pressure shaft is on the opposite cap. Turn the pressure shaft clockwise by hand until the C-clamp is snug.

5

Fit an adjustable wrench to the hex head on the end of the pressure shaft. Rotate the pressure shaft clockwise with the wrench until the bearing cap on the opposite side pushes out into the receiver cup. Turn the pressure shaft counterclockwise until the C-clamp is free of the yoke.

6

Rotate the drive shaft 180 degrees. Install the C-clamp as before with the pressure shaft on the solid portion of the U-joint. Turn the shaft as before to force the other bearing cap out of the yoke.

7

Remove the yoke from the solid portion of the drive shaft by pushing the yoke to one side, tilting the other side away from the drive shaft and lifting it off the solid portion of the U-joint.

8

Rotate the drive shaft 90 degrees in either direction.

9

Remove the other two U-joint bearing caps from the drive shaft in the same manner as the first two bearing caps.

10

Move the solid portion of the U-joint to either side in the drive shaft. Tip the opposite side away from the drive shaft and lift it out, completing the removal of the rusty U-joint.

CV joints, or constant velocity joints, help keep all of a cars wheels rolling at the same speed while also helping the suspension adjust to vertical movements. While most CV joints last for many years, a failed CV joint may require replacing an entire drive shaft, according to Samarins, a website useful to people in the used-car market.

Structure

A CV joint consists of a ball-and-socket joint with metal bearings packed in grease and surrounded by a protective rubber boot, according to 2 Car Pros. Each drive shaft includes inner and outer CV joints attached to each end of the shaft. Failure of either joint can lead to serious problems.

Damage

A CV joint becomes vulnerable to failure when the rubber CV boot covering the joint develops a tear. The torn CV boot allows grease to leak out from the bearings in the joint while also allowing grit to enter. Eventually the corroded joint breaks, ruining the entire drive shaft.

Trouble Signs

Diagnosing a CV joint problem early can help prevent total failure of the CV joint. Drivers who hear a clicking or knocking noise when the car makes sharp turns may have a CV boot problem. Replacing the boot and repacking the grease before failure occurs can fix the problem.