'55 Ford car rear U joint

[Lamar Wadsworth]

Replacing rear U-joint on '55 Ford. What's the trick to getting the old one out of the yoke on the driveshaft? I've removed the two C Clips that go inside the yoke and soaked it with PBlaster. Can't get it to budge. The U-joint is original to the car (parents bought the car new, so I know it's never been changed.

 

[KULTULZ]

Well,

BFH - LARGE VICE - OTC Makes A Ball-Joint Tool That Can Be Used On U-Joints. The cap(s) are pressed out-in.

The use of the BFH can lead to heartbreak.

TOOLS - https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/u-joint-removal-and-installation-tools

 

[Ford blue blood]

I have used an old socket that fits inside the yoke, placed the yoke/socket in a vice, clamped down very tight then smacked the movable part of the vice with a big hammer. This will usually break the first one loose, re-tighten the vice and repeat. That will get the other side to break free. Then just the vice and a larger socket on the other side to clear the cap as you tighten the vice until it comes free.

 

[oldbugger]

Maybe a little heat

 

[tobby]

do not dent the drive shaft tube......clamp the driveshaft on the welds near the forward yoke or the aft end where it bolts to the companion flange.

 

[Lamar Wadsworth]

Thanks--will try the vice and sockets. The vice I use is a big heavy rascal about 100+ years old, belonged to my wife's grandfather. He was a sheet metal man. All of my metal files and big C clamps were his, all over 100 years old and good as ever.