Socket u-joint help

[White 99]

I have been trying to replace a block drain plug located in an nearly impossible place. I need to use a u-joint with a couple of extensions to get back in.

Anyone have a idea to stiffen up the joint so it doesn't flop, but still allow full movement?

 

[General Geoff]

O-ring or rubber band on the joint. Or cut the neck off a balloon and slip that over it.

 

[Badasssapper67]

Is it a u joint with roll pins? If so get a new u joint.

 

[T45]

electical tap if none of the above is available

 

[xjfish]

electical tape if none of the above is available

That is all i use, it works.

 

[ajchien]

I do the o ring trick.

 

[scissorman]

I concur, electrical tape works everytime. The more you wrap it the stiffer it gets but will still flex as it should.

 

[goingtoarizona]

Throw out your Harbor freight and buy a real man's Snap On u joint, you will not be disappointed. It's all I ever used as a pro tech, even with air tools. Never even had to warranty any of them...

 

[Ralf99]

 

[gdocktor3]

^ that's pretty cool.

 

[Larryjones]

Tighten it up with a hammer.

 

[Professur]

That's what I've got

 

[Tim37]

Electrical tape

 

[General Geoff]

Throw out your Harbor freight and buy a real man's Snap On u joint, you will not be disappointed. It's all I ever used as a pro tech, even with air tools. Never even had to warranty any of them...

Throwing more money at a problem is not always the best solution.

 

[chris_1001]

Electrical tape here as well. Been doing that for many years.

 

[White 99]

Thanks for the tips.

I did accomplish the task.

What I had was a block drain plug on top of a 4mm hex socket on the u-joint on about 12 to 15 inches of extensions. Of course laying under a drippy car on jack stands.

I tried tape and rubber bands but they tended to get into the mechanism when trying to screw the plug in while at the extream angle of the u-joint had to be in. Didn't have a baloon to try.

I may try to expand the roll pins on one of them that has them.

Oh and no Harbor Freight tools used.

Anyway it is done for another two years.

Thanks again.

 

[mbshop]

I think it was mac that had the joint screwed together and in between the bodies there were wavy washers.
the best ever. But yea, I either hit the pins to tighten things up or used tape. I saw a nest trick but can't recall it well. Guy put soft rubber in the joint itself or some such. But I never tried that.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I think it was mac that had the joint screwed together and in between the bodies there were wavy washers.
the best ever. But yea, I either hit the pins to tighten things up or used tape. I saw a nest trick but can't recall it well. Guy put soft rubber in the joint itself or some such. But I never tried that.

O ring. It works perfect

 

[WWheeler]

Gearwrench sells, or used to sell, 'Spring" universal joint adapters that have a small internal spring (as opposed to some of those pictured on this thread with a large external spring) that lets you position it however you want and it holds it in that position when you let it go. It's the only kind I've seen that would let you put a bend in it and then be able to sneak it into position like that onto that difficult to reach nut or bolt.

I only have a 3/8" one and it works pretty good for that purpose. When I bought it I didn't even notice the 'Spring' part. I bought it because I noticed that it has button head allen cap screws instead of roll pins that I assume will let me tighten up the joint if/when it starts to get sloppy. It hasn't yet though.

Apparently GearWrench doesn't carry them any more. I looked on their site and the 3/8 & 1/2 are still listed but 'out of stock' and outrageously priced:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Spring+Universal+Joint

This is about all I still see for sale anywhere:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M0O1D4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

edit: Cripe Dist has it a little cheaper
www.ebay.com/itm/Gearwrench-81233-3-8-Drive-Spring-U-Joint-Socket-Adapter-/391101988853

Didn't see any 1/2" anywhere though

 

[White 99]

The GearWrench one you have sounds like what I wanted. I would have paid $30 for it.

The pictures you linked to all look the same but the description at amazon sounds like it snaps back to straight. Makes more sense as you described. I suppose I should buy one and try it after making this fuss.

 

[btbsandman]

throwing more money at a problem is not always the best solution.

thank you!