U joint pressing tip

[ex-x-fire]

I was doing some u joints the other day that had the end flanges that like to bend, I decided to try something with a 20 press and a pitman arm puller (minus the forcing screw). I used the puller to press on the cross just like in the first picture, it worked very well.
Sometimes when pressing on both sides causes the flange to bend, this method only presses on one side.

 

[454ragtop]

Even though I have a 20 ton hyd. press and a 5 ton ratcheting arbor press, I do 98% of the u-joints I change with a BFH and a large punch. I find the impact does a better job than just brute force.

 

[fordnut85]

Learned that trick from an old timer way back. Couldn't believe I was doing it wrong for so long and always wondered why I could never get the clips back in lol

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[nbruno]

I use the bfh and a punch to remove them and a 12 ton press or a ball joint press to install

If you like pressing the side caps tiger tool has a few tools you might want to look into.

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[metaleltr]

Air hammer and oxy acetylene hasn't failed me yet.

 

[txvwnut]

I use my ball joint press. Before that I used the bfh method but the joint press is way faster and a more smoother operation in my opinion.

 

[619DioFan]

I use my ball joint press. Before that I used the bfh method but the joint press is way faster and a more smoother operation in my opinion.

I also use my ball joint press. find it easier than trying to set it up in my hyd press.

 

[2oolhound]

Even though I have a 20 ton hyd. press and a 5 ton ratcheting arbor press, I do 98% of the u-joints I change with a BFH and a large punch. I find the impact does a better job than just brute force.

Narrow stretch of the Alaska Hwy at 3 am. -30° (keep your feet under the truck because the semi's go by only 12" from your truck it was that narrow), flash light, couple wrenches, sockets as press tools (pronounce - impact) and a BFG. Oh yeah, also had a spare u-joint and a grease gun. I think that was my worst memory of u-joint installs but I've done many this way. I used to enjoy the luxury of using my vise as a press when at home though. Never came near bending the handle on the vise either. Less chance of knocking the end cups off and spilling the needle bearings on the ground with a press of some sort.

 

[ex-x-fire]

These are the kind that like to bend when you use a u joint press, not a lot of meat to keep them from folding over when you squeeze or hammer them.
Yeah, I like to get a tiger tool but want a demonstration first. It might bend the flange out on a tight one.

 

[bdelmar2]

I like to use a large vise and a couple of sockets. If it starts to stick I whack the vise jaw with a hammer and it releases. Never had one bend, but probably will now, lol.

 

[06switchback]

I have always used a vice and sockets a little tap with a hammer when things stick I have never tried the BFH method

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[Maui]

The last one I did was on a large bench vise, and it worked well.

 

[lilredex]

My U-Joint tools, a vise and a third hand.

 

[WittHay]

I usually use the vise and a socket method of pressing u-joints. The Tiger Tool socket press caught my eye. Comes with various adapters for 1/4 to 1/2 drive sockets. Probably easier to use than a ball joint press.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I picked up the Snap-on U-joint press at a pawn shop 20+ years ago. It's like a ball joint press, but less bulky.

https://store.snapon.com/Universal-Joint-Tools-Set-Universal-Joint-Press-12-pc-P644059.aspx

 

[Bretny]

If the ears on your shaft are trying to bend qhen your putting a new u joint in you didnt clean the ear enough. I have always used a big hammer and a vise. Even on heavy equipment. Some times a little heat is also needed.

 

[nbruno]

Here is the tiger tool press that I was talking about.

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