U joint caps wont seat all the way

[jperry1290]

I am replacing u joints on my axle shafts and the caps will not seat all the way down. I have tried a vise, c clamp, and hammer but they wont budge. i have checked and there are no bearings that came loose in the caps.

 

[joshua]

Maybe check the part# and make sure u were sold the rite joint

 

[Hank_]

If there are no loose roller brgs the cap should fit. I too would double check the u-joint. Are you sure it is the right one for your application?


Henry

 

[jperry1290]

checked on autozones site an confirmed part number. i ve heard that air pockets can keep caps from pressing on

 

[bknbronco]

Measure a u-joint that isnt in the shaft yet, then measure the shaft and compare measurements. Its the old measure twice, cut once!

 

[chadomatic]

you didn't bend your axle removing the old ones? I have seen people bend the ears together putting too much pressure on the vise. Which is why I use a hammer.

 

[jperry1290]

a hammer was used in the removal. i just used a vise to try and pop the new ones in

 

[jalapeño]

Make sure one of the rollers didn't fall inside & is hiding in the grease. Not saying that's what happened to me.....

 

[bknbronco]

Slide the u-joint back and forth..... if it slides then you ant got the caps tight yet....and if it slides you ant got air in there. If it dont slide and it turns hard then you got the caps on too far. Maybe you got the other cap in too far? When i did mine the caps are pressing the clips out a bit, thats how tight the tolarences are.

 

[jperry1290]

i think the problem is that i bought autozone u joints, from my research it sounds like they dont work well for lots of guys

 

[bknbronco]

I only buy spicer so i wouldnt know. I havent bought from autozone, pepboys, or orielys for like 15 years....too many shitty parts. I go napa or go to the dealer.

But even my spicer joints barely fit in. There super tight tolerences! How far off are you from getting the clips in?

I get my spicers at A&A driveline in Anoka, Mn. There a few blocks from home and they always have them in stock for me and my dad.

 

[KyleQ]

Contact Gabe at Northern Drivetrain. He is a great Spicer dealer and always has joints in stock.

http://www.northerndrivetrain.com/

 

[jperry1290]

i will measure the ears once my son takes his nap. if they are slightly bent whats the best way to bend them back?

 

[KyleQ]

with a hammer, seriously.

 

[stubby1]

or if you have a porta power use the spreader attachment. but do it slowly and dont ding the ears or you will have a hard time getting the caps back in

 

[jperry1290]

the drivers inner and outer measured 1/2inch closer than the pass side, not sure if its supposed to be that way. Got in on finally.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Take the cap off, look inside. More then likely one of the needle bearings fell over and is preventing the cap from going on all the way. Happens all the time. Hopefully you didn't pound the cap too hard and flatten the bearing, because that rashes it and you now need a new U-joint.

 

[73azbronco]

Your going to measure your sons ears?