U Joints.

[Paul Higg]

Can anyone tell me whether it is easy or difficult to replace the universal joints on a 94 LT1? I looked in the FSM and it shows the U Joints but it is sorely lacking. Would I need special tooling?

Thanks again for your help.

Paul

 

[LT4man]

Paul, did you ascertain for sure that you need to replace the u-joints?

I have almost 100,000 miles on my '96. I have never replaced any u-joints in the entire driveline.

SAVE the gosh darn

 

[grumpyvette]

I bought and use this press and so far ITS never had the slightest difficulty doing any of the jobs you listed and several more like U-joints
this is cheap and slow
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335
below a better tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33497

the money saved on a single u-joint swap on a corvette will pay for the press
the local machine shop wanted $20 EACH just to press out and re-install the U-joints, with ME suppling the u-joints or $40 each if they supplied the u-joints, keep in mind thiers 6 u-joints in a corvette, two on the drive shaft and two on EACH half shaft, and if ones bad thru normal wear and mileage then the others have significant mileage on them and should be replaced at the same time
the press cost was $129 when I purchased mine several years ago, its far more than paid for itself since then, and its far easiet to use than the screw thread hand held c-clamp type

heres helpfu info , read thru the links below
http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette/images/ujoints/index.html
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005/december/u-joint/u-joint.asp
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76752
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005/november/arms/arms.asp
http://www.micro-controls.com/article-ujoints.html
http://www.micro-controls.com/cartools-ujoint.html
http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/html/faq.html
http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette/images/ujoints/index.html
first Ill point out that the U-joints made in china are JUNK, so get the AMERICAN MADE u-joints WITHOUT the grease nipples as that design is stronger
next , many machine shops charge $15-20 to remove and instal EACH u-joint with a press, thats 4 u-joints on the half shafts and two on the drive shaft (TOTAL 6) so it can EASILLY run you $90-120 in just labor IF YOU PULL THE SHAFTS and REINSTALL THEM (99% of the LABOR) and have a shop remove/reinstall the u-joints themselfs, thats INSANE if you are doing it on a regular basis, when you can buy a decent press for about the same cost as a single series of replacements
[http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33497

this is a differant year but most of the info applies
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005...nt/u-joint.asp
http://www.micro-controls.com/article-ujoints.html
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=X935

basically youll need a shop manual or similar instructions like the HAYNES manual,
you jack up the rear, place the frame on sturdy jack stands, remove the tires and youll need a long 1/4" extension with a universal and a 10mm socket to reach the straps retaining the u-joints on the inner ends and a shorter extention and box end wrench for the outer ends and the use of the floor jack to reduce the pressure on the rear suspension as you work on each side
BTW once you get familiar with the process you can replace ALL six u-joints in UNDER 4 hours, only need to do the 1/2 shafts, great youll complete that in under 2 hours with practice (WITHOUT AIR TOOLS) (under an hour WITH THEM)

 

[Paul Higg]

Wow, grumpy, that's great info. Thanks. I have an FSM and I looked into it and it is very vague. I will need your information. I appreciate it.

Paul

 

[Paul Higg]

LT4man, thanks. I was reading a post about creaking in the rear end and it sounded exactly like what I had and someone said it could be the u-joints. I have almost 100,000 and they look pretty bad so I was just going to replace them. I have been replacing almost everything in the chassis, it has needed it.

 

[Toms007]

U-joints aren't too bad, Paul. Just have to get the rear end up in the air. Last fall when I did mine I just jacked it up and used some jack stands. Of course I have access to the metal shop at school and the tools there, so I took them down and used the press there to do the job. I think I have a write up on doing it...I'll look and see if I have it here. If so, I'll send it to you.

Actually after looking at the links Grumpy listed this is the one I used and copied for my use.

http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette...nts/index.html

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks Tom, that would help. Having shop tools is a nice benefit!