Half Shafts

[cbudvet]

So today I was working on my rear brakes. Everytime I tried to jack up the rear end, the wheels were still on the ground. It was only then that I noticed that there were no half shafts. Apparently, the body shop guy never put them back on. Obviously I haven't driven the car as it is still being rebuilt. Fortunately I still have a pair from another car. I would like to rebuild them before I put them on the car. This leads me to my question. How hard is it to replace the u joints? I know they can be replaced in the first year but have no experience doing so. Any suggestions? I may see if a mechanic friend will do it but thought I would ask first.

carl

[madkaw]

I like doing everything myself when possible, but I would take mine down the road to someone who has a press. That's just one of those jobs that the right equipment or tools makes a huge difference. ADM driveshaft on Washington st. west side of Indy does nice work. Mark is my old neighbor and runs that place, great work-reasonable price.

[cbudvet]

Thanks Steve,

I will look into it.

carl

[ajmcforester]

U joints are not hard to do, just ask any 4x4 guy, unless your replacing one you broke on the trail over some nasty rocks. You might want to see if your body guy has your shafts. The shafts are balanced a certain way,and if you don't connect the shafts the same way to the car you can get some bad vibrations from the shaft. Before they would have taken them off they would have marked them, if they are a good shop. If you can't get your old ones look to see if you can find something at the connectors to help you line up correctly the replacement shafts. with three shafts this could take a while to find out which one is out of balance if you don't get it right. Trust me you will know when you drive the car that you got it wrong.

[Zed Head]

Many people believe (from what I've read on the various forums) that the stock factory u-joints are better than any aftermarket u-joints, if they are not obviously worn-out. Aftermarket u-joints are not as tight, brand-new, as the factory u-joints, in my experience. If the old joints are not dry, you can install some zerk fittings if they're not there already, regrease them and just keep using them. You'll probably be better off.

Also, why would the half-shafts be involved in keeping your tires from leaving the ground when jacking up the rear-end? Don't the rear wheels hang from the struts at full extension?

[ajmcforester]

Many people believe (from what I've read on the various forums) that the stock factory u-joints are better than any aftermarket u-joints, if they are not obviously worn-out. Aftermarket u-joints are not as tight, brand-new, as the factory u-joints, in my experience. If the old joints are not dry, you can install some zerk fittings if they're not there already, regrease them and just keep using them. You'll probably be better off.

Just don't buy the cheapest ones you can find, if you con get the Nissan still they are great. If the U-joint were not greased regularly or someone drove the car very hard over a long period of time they will wear or develop flat spots on the needle barrings. If you can wiggle the shafts while the car is on the ground or the rubber seals are shot, I'd replace them while you have them out. Also if it is just for your piece of mind, it isn't that hard to do with a table vice or a press.

[TBone028]

Neapco Brute-force u-joints are available from most auto stores. They are solid u-joints and do not have a zerk fitting, just like the factory. Just an option if you cant find OEM u-joints.

They only cost about $14 a joint. Professional install cost me about $45 a joint. Adds up pretty quick if you decide to replace all 4 at once! (which i definitely would depending on the condition) Otherwise, there are techniques to replace them yourself if you have access to a vice, a BFH, and some sockets you dont care about.

[Walter Moore]

It seems like I took mine to "Indy rack and axle" or something like that. (I can't remember the name exactly right now, but I turned 50 recently, so what do you expect.)

It was just North of the State Fairgrounds, not the best neighborhood.

I didn't know about the place on Washington street.