Blackhawk S4 universal joint replacement : Success!!

[p-nor]

So, I picked up this S4 the other day and of course the universal joints were in bad shape. The one closest to the release valve was broken and the other was super sloppy. I searched and searched but really found no answers, supposedly these parts are not available. The first thought that popped into my head was a couple 1/4" socket universal joints from Sears but I thought it it was that easy, surely there's somebody in the all knowing memory of Google that has done it. I was a bit discouraged but thought what the hell. So, here it goes. Of all the stuff I bought, all I ended up using was one universal joint and the long extension. Enjoy the pictures and let me know if I did something stupid. From what I can see, it works perfectly.

This is what I got to do the repairs.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/310972_601384469871975_110216625_n.jpg

Break apart one of the universals with a drift.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/58175_601384503205305_827354686_n.jpg

The handle side of the universal at the valve was broken, luckily the valve side was o.k. So, press one of the halves together here.

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/934051_601384529871969_356803975_n.jpg

Phase one.

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/21175_601384546538634_1021785824_n.jpg

Here's what I had to work with on the handle side.

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/934960_601384579871964_1696850958_n.jpg













Paul

 

[p-nor]

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/935329_601384596538629_1263431973_n.jpg


Remove the middle section.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/420695_601384623205293_1726129672_n.jpg

Seen better days.

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/934020_601384636538625_1241090917_n.jpg


Remove the block from this universal in preparation for the second half of the Craftsman one.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/374593_601385106538578_170121775_n.jpg








Paul

 

[p-nor]

The block on the Craftsman universals are just a hair too big to fit into the Blackhawk ones. I just put it in a pair of Vice Grips and hit it with the grinder.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/419239_601385146538574_1455435448_n.jpg

Pressed back together on the long rod.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/399792_601385163205239_1820814769_n.jpg

For the middle section I had to cut a longer extension down a bit and square it off with the grinder. I made the square end a bit longer than a standard extension would be and because it doesn't have the spring loaded ball, it allows the joint to move when the valve is opened and closed.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/310913_601385193205236_1152617405_n.jpg

All done!

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/935182_601385253205230_1086632500_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/431806_601385813205174_718827549_n.jpg





No machine shop required for this. The only power tool I used was a 4.5" grinder. Hand tools were a drift, slip joint pliers, ball peen hammer and vice grips. I'd say it took less than an hour and it seems to work very well with no binding or excess slop.







Paul

 

[uniballer]

No ****! That is great, with craftsman too!

 

[p-nor]

No ****! That is great, with craftsman too!

Chinese Craftsman but we all know about that.








Paul

 

[87Pomona]

Well done.......well done

 

[Bull]

Oh, my. I need to look at my broken S4 universal pieces and see if I can do what you did with what I have left. If so, I'm sending you a beer.

 

[p-nor]

Now that I can raise and lower the jack, I thought I'd try it out. It will go up all the way and back down with nothing on it but when I try and lift my truck, it won't do anything once it's got some real weight on it. I can put all my weight on the handle and lift myself off the ground, NOTHING. What does this mean? Time for a rebuild kit from Hiball or is this something more serious?







Paul

 

[CRTDI]

The small blocks and pins that make up the swivel joints are definitely a weak point on these old jacks.

Useful spares from other parts jacks are getting hard to find as a most are very worn or broken and original replacement parts have pretty much dried up. Unless you happen to find some old stock parts, some sort of fabrication is usually the answer.

I really like your "out of the box" thinking and cost effective approach to resolving a very common issue.

Excellent work.....

You might want to check out this sticky to trouble shoot your jack:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197787

 

[homesale]

Brilliant!