U Joint press 04 Silverado

[mooman]

I have to change the U joints on my 04 Silverado.
They have the plastic retainers in them that i have to get out.
Does anybody know if the Harbor Freight u joint press would be ok for this one time use?
I'm also open to suggestions as to other ways I can get these out.

[anodyne33]

I'm not familiar with the retainers you're speaking of, but I'd imagine that they'll have to come out before you get to the press, no?

I've done several u-joints and a few ball joints with my HF press and it's worked fine for me. To the point of blowing a cross through a cap without having a problem with the press itself.

[I can fix anything]

You have to melt out the plastic with a cutting torch. Can't say about the hf press, but you can rent a press from autozone and get your money back when you are done.

[srmofo]

Yup have to melt the plastic first. they practically fall out after that. However I rarely press my own u joints anymore. The local driveline/clutch shop only charges $5 and they have higher quality u joints than the crap that parts stores sell. It ends up being around $30 for a spicer joint installed. And they even pick up and deliver for free same day service.

[DavidB]

I agree with srmofo. Call around and see if a shop will press them out for you. It'd probably cost less and be quicker.

[SpiderGearsMan]

front shaft ?
the rear one has clips
I have only had to do one ujoint on a post 99 c/k truck
huge improvement

[mrholeshot]

Just heat it up until the snake makes it way out. Just heat it up and youll know what I mean

[737mechanic]

Not sure about the harbor freight U joint press but my wilton vise presses them out without heating anything up.

We would never heat them up at the shop I worked at because of the time it takes to get the torch and heat it up. There we all just took them to the hydraulic press and pressed them out.

[mrholeshot]

Originally Posted by 737mechanic

Not sure about the harbor freight U joint press but my wilton vise presses them out without heating anything up.

We would never heat them up at the shop I worked at because of the time it takes to get the torch and heat it up. There we all just took them to the hydraulic press and pressed them out.

I can get them out faster using a torch. Just heat them up and give them a light tap and they are out. Takes about two minutes once you have the shaft in hand.

[I can fix anything]

Originally Posted by 737mechanic

Not sure about the harbor freight U joint press but my wilton vise presses them out without heating anything up.

We would never heat them up at the shop I worked at because of the time it takes to get the torch and heat it up. There we all just took them to the hydraulic press and pressed them out.

They can break that way. Melting them is the way to go.

[Freakazooid52]

Originally Posted by I can fix anything

They can break that way. Melting them is the way to go.

Were I work another tech didnt remove the plastic insert and ruined a perfectly good driveshaft.

Propane torch works ok to if you have more time and no access to a OXY/ACT torch

[mooman]

I don't have acces to a OXT/ACT torch. So either MAPP or propane is the way for me.
I just don't want to damage the yoke heating them up.
Just called a drive shaft place by me and they quoted $135 for the two u joints and balancing of the drive shaft.

[I can fix anything]

Originally Posted by Freakazooid52

Were I work another tech didnt remove the plastic insert and ruined a perfectly good driveshaft.

Propane torch works ok to if you have more time and no access to a OXY/ACT torch

Yep when stuff aint done right things get broke.

[srmofo]

Originally Posted by mooman

Just called a drive shaft place by me and they quoted $135 for the two u joints and balancing of the drive shaft.

Thats about right including the balancing, which I will usually have done unless the customer is flat broke.