Question about changing needle bearings in drive shaft U joints

[90blacktsiawd]

I searched and didn't come up with much. I dont know that exact names for everything so please bear with me. I noticed a vibration the other day. I thought maybe the exhaust was rubbing on the driveshaft. Sure enough i look under the car and a couple of the hangers aren't connected. So i fix that and go for a little spin but the noise / vibration is still there. I get under again and notice at one of the u joints that the cap on one side has come out.

Now i got a new cap w/ needle bearings and snap ring for this. My question is before i dive in to fix this is there anything i should be looking for when i do this? Any little tricks to make the job easier? Thanks for the help.

 

[Nanan]

Just replace the U-joint as a whole, the needle bearings put little dents in the spider ends over time so new bearings will not help that much.

Mitsu wants 60+ per U-joint but Napa only wanted like 30 and the napa unit is nice and thick unlike the autozone/advance ones.

 

[steve]

I started by reading the Driveshaft FAQ http://www.plymouthlaser.com/dshaft.htm but I used a shop press to remove them and press the new ones in.
http://www.plymouthlaser.com/dshaft3.htm shows using c-clamps and a vice.

Steve

 

[90blacktsiawd]

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Defiant]

I'm a little surprised (and, dismayed) you could find the cups and needles as separate parts. The job is usually just a complete replacement. Interesting stuff.

 

[90blacktsiawd]

The only reason i got the two together is because i have a friend with a spare driveshaft. When we pulled the cap the needle bearings were still in it. I can't however get the new cap in. So i ordered all new ones and i'll just drop the driveshaft and replace it all.

 

[90blacktsiawd]

Hey Defiant , I don't suppose you could fix the spelling of about in the title for me?
Actually, I just did.