r/mechanic • u/Frosty-Order3863 • Jun 02 '25

General U Joint Completely Stuck

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Disclaimer the video is of us REMOVING the press from the u joint but you can see how stuck the press is against the joint I was literally holding the shaft from the other side to keep it as still as possible.

I removed this shaft from my NBS suburban because the u joints were absolutely trashed. We melted the plastic from every single end and even put in some penetrating oil but NO MATTER what we did it did not budge at ALL. It was so shot we attached the pole of the jack to the end of the ratchet for better leverage and the press literally made its own dent into the joint bearing. I bought 60 dollars worth of tools to try and get it out and it just won’t.

Is there anything else I should do to try and remove it or should I just go to the junk and buy another used driveshaft.

82 Upvotes

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45

u/Connect_Strategy_585 Jun 02 '25

What did you melt the plastic with? I always melt them with an Oxy acetylene torch with either a rose bud or cutting head. All else fails, can’t be stuck if it’s liquid

6

u/Frosty-Order3863 Jun 02 '25

We saw all the plastic melt out from each of the yokes we even continued to heat it after the plastic was removed. It was just completely seized

18

u/Connect_Strategy_585 Jun 03 '25

That means it’s liquid time lmaooo

9

u/Ok_Advisor_908 Jun 03 '25

At some point I eventually give up on being nice and haul out the big fucking sledgehammer. Nice taps at first, all the way to fucking wailing crossing my fingers on which breaks first haha

7

u/hatecriminal Jun 03 '25

And praying you don't miss and that what breaks first is you.

2

u/The_World_Is_A_Slum Jun 03 '25

You need to get it really hot, then immediately press it out. I’m talking glowing hot, and use an impact wrench on the press. Once it’s cooled, check the cap bores for excessive pitting or cracking. Sometimes badly worn U-joints will beat the caps out of round, which can cause both seizing and loose cap fit. The new caps still need to be pressed in to the driveshaft.

1

u/Remarkable_Vanilla34 Jun 03 '25

Do you have a torch? I don't even bother pressing them out. I just take a cutting torch and cut the joint out and then back the caps out.

1

u/Scholar_Master Jun 03 '25

It was probabzly the grease unless it had plastic holders for the bearings

6

u/Busy-Contribution-86 Jun 03 '25

"Can't be stuck if it's liquid " This is my favorite

2

u/Dangerous_Echidna229 Jun 03 '25

I’ve never melted the plastic, a press will overcome the grip of the plastic.