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Plastic in the ujoints?

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3.2K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  05RubiconUnlimited  
#1 ·
Seems that I have read threads here and there saying that the stock driveshaft ujoints are held together with injected plastic or something to that effect...

Is that true for all five joints, three front and two rear?
 
#3 ·
True, the joint caps have a ring, and the yoke as well. The plastic is injected through a small hole and hardens in place, acting as a retainer. Some of them will just pop loose, and I have had to melt others with the torch. I use a press to change joints, and a ball joint C-press to change them on the trail. It still takes some effort to pop the plastic.
 
#11 ·
Old thread, but just thought I would add a bit of info/advice from experience for anyone new searching the site on this issue.

All of my DS u-joints were put together with the injected plastic retainers. Still shaking my head over why DC would have done this. All mine are now Neapco Brute force joints.

Propane(plumbers) torch works...takes a minute or 2 or 5 to get it hot enough.

Word of caution...wear safety glasses and make sure the little plastic looking "titties" from where the original plasticy epoxy resin retainer stuff was injected are pointed away from you.

Once you get to the melting point...it can do a little volcano type pop, shooting a small high velocity stream of really hot liquid plastic stuff out of the hole. Burns pretty good when it hits exposed skin.

cheers
 
#12 ·
GM used to hold u joint caps in place on some of the cars from the 70's. I was a kid workin in my first shop and used to heat them all the time and watch the epoxy/glue ooze out and make "little snakes". I did have one or two pop and hit my skin so I always wore safety glasses. i remember ruining a driveshaft because i didnt melt the glue out so i can tell you it holds them in there very tight.

Anyway they are easy just be careful
 
#13 ·
GM used to hold u joint caps in place on some of the cars from the 70's. I was a kid workin in my first shop and used to heat them all the time and watch the epoxy/glue ooze out and make "little snakes". I did have one or two pop and hit my skin so I always wore safety glasses. i remember ruining a driveshaft because i didnt melt the glue out so i can tell you it holds them in there very tight.

Anyway they are easy just be careful
 
#14 ·
GM used to hold u joint caps in place on some of the cars from the 70's. I was a kid workin in my first shop and used to heat them all the time and watch the epoxy/glue ooze out and make "little snakes". I did have one or two pop and hit my skin so I always wore safety glasses. i remember ruining a driveshaft because i didnt melt the glue out so i can tell you it holds them in there very tight.

Anyway they are easy just be careful