i have a 90 silverado and the driveshaft ujoint at the rear axle is bad, what is the easiest way to change it?|||take the shaft all the way out of the truck, take the clips out, place the u-joint cross (the one that is not pressed in the shaft) across the jaws of a vise, and hit shaft right where the welds are, this will drive the caps out of the shaft,to install the u-joint put one cap in the shaft as far as you can push it in, then slide the new joint into that cap, hold the joint into the cap and tap the cap in more while keeping the joint in the cap, once its almost flush with shaft you should be able to push in the other cap, push the joint into that cap and do the same, be careful not to let a needle bearing fall out of place because you%26#039;ll have to start over|||Most of the G.M.s use a plastic injected U-Joint retainer method.
It is a thermal plastic resin injected in to the grove suronding the U-Joint end caps.
As you heat it with a torch it will expand to the point of degration.
At that point you quickly put it into a large bench vise, or the apropriate tool.
While the plastic is soft you can press apart the end caps, one at a time.
The replacement joint will be redesigned with retainer clips, that will replace the cheap as **** injection process.
Recomendation is to go with what is called, Brute Strength, good ****.|||The easiest and only way is to press out and back in. Sounds like you%26#039;ve never done it and it is a little tricky so my advise is to take it to a mechanic and watch him do it, then you%26#039;ll know how the next time.|||cut get another one weld its the easiest way. bit it would probably be better to get a new saft with the joint included of course. and replace. easiest isnt always the best.|||Remove drive shaft ,plug transmission some how, Remove u-joint , when re install new joint don%26#039;t lose the needle bearings when you have the joint back on drive shaft re install to tranny and connect to rear end, don%26#039;t forget to grease it after it is in place. hope this helps.|||GM has used the injected plastic since about 1977 to hold the stock joints in place.
Take driveshaft off rear end (four 7/16%26quot; head bolts)
Look at the shaft and where joint is, turn it around and look close.. You will see a small hole on each side that looks like it has gunk in it.. Thats where GM injected the plastic in at.
Using a torch (propane plumbers torch works) heat that part up (be sure to where safty glasses and/or clear face sheild) as it heats it will smoke, then the plastic will start to %26quot;snake%26quot; out of the hole... Then pop. When it pops the hot plastic can go anywhere so be carfull.. It%26#039;s all out when it pops.
Now using anything, you can pretty much just push the u joint out.
To put new one in.. Take all 4 caps off and lay them in a safe place as you don%26#039;t want the bearings to fall out of them.
Stick the cross into the center of shaft so 2 of the ends are through the holes in shaft. place a bearing cap on one side, turn shaft over laying it so that bearing cap is level on the bench/floor, etc.. Center the joint and slip other cap on..
Place a socket just smaller than the hole in shaft through hole and onto cap.. Hit socket with hammer..
Turn shaft over, place socket same way on that cap and hit it.
Now you will get C clips with your joint.. Push those clips onto U joint, on the inside, right next to the hole that cap fits in.
Your done..
Best U joint to get is the brute force joints.. About $18 or a little less. Solid body, non greasable, forged, larger needle bearings, etc.. Auto zone, advance auto parts, etc sells them
