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D30 axle shaft "u-joint" removal help

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Old 11-27-2011, 05:30 PM
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Default D30 axle shaft "u-joint" removal help

Im installing axle shafts from a '99 XJ into my '91 XJ that's equipped with cv axles and I cant get the "u-joints" free from the (new to me) axle shafts. I have removed all the "c" clips and tried pressing them out on a vice and also have tried the BFH method and they have not moved a hair. Am I doing something wrong or forgetting something? I have read tons of write-ups on the net and none of them have mentioned having this much trouble. I have also used PB Blaster on everything and still no luck.
Any help would be great!
Old 11-27-2011, 05:36 PM
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if you have read tons then you would see that they press out.
Old 11-27-2011, 05:37 PM
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there are 4 parts to this vid as long as the clips are off

Last edited by freegdr; 11-27-2011 at 05:52 PM.
Old 11-27-2011, 05:43 PM
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I really hate when peeps get on here who think they know everything and instead of helping, they gotta say some STUPID comment. You only get mouthy when sitting behind a computer. Ive got plenty of bookmarks of write-ups on removing the u-joints and NOT ONE OF THEM USES A PRESS! So shut your mouth!
Old 11-27-2011, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by flexin91xj
I really hate when peeps get on here who think they know everything and instead of helping, they gotta say some STUPID comment. You only get mouthy when sitting behind a computer. Ive got plenty of bookmarks of write-ups on removing the u-joints and NOT ONE OF THEM USES A PRESS! So shut your mouth!
X2 -- I am new here, but not to cars/trucks/jeeps in general and LOVE this site, but am reluctant to post a lot of the questions I have due to people EXACTLY like that. All high and mighty. If you don't wanna help someone out, DONT! Making them feel stupid when you have no idea who they are, what they know, or how much research was done prior to posting does nothing but make you look like an ******* and drive beginners away from either this forum or the hobby in general. You people should be booted in my opinion. No way to treat people. "NEWBS" or not.
Old 11-27-2011, 06:03 PM
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Sorry, I did not try to get around the censors, I CAPS'd it, not realizing it would display it. I apologize for the displayed swear.
Old 11-27-2011, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by LongArmXJ
if you have read tons then you would see that they press out.
explain how they press out when they install from the OUTSIDE?
Old 11-27-2011, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by E-Rok
explain how they press out when they install from the OUTSIDE?
Old 11-27-2011, 06:16 PM
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The easiest method for replacing them is a ball joint press. Heres an earlier thread that kind of covers all the different ideas for doing them. In my experience though the ball joint press is the easiest way to go about it.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/too...5/#post1296040
Hope this helps.
Old 11-27-2011, 06:21 PM
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I just used the method from youtube that FREEGDR posted and I finally got half of one free. I just beat the ear of the shaft next to the u-joint cap with a hammer and the cap started moving out. Then used a vice to remove the other side.
Thanks for the help!
Old 11-27-2011, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Desert Rat
The easiest method for replacing them is a ball joint press. Heres an earlier thread that kind of covers all the different ideas for doing them. In my experience though the ball joint press is the easiest way to go about it.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/too...5/#post1296040
Hope this helps.
not doubting you at all, but what special tools do you have to use to get caps that install from the outside removed? you obviously cant press on them from the outside.
Old 11-27-2011, 06:48 PM
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+1 for the ball joint press. Here is how I did mine...

ball joint press is used with no adapters...
position ball joint press on first cap and tighten
remove the C clip out of the cap
turn the press around and press the other cap down
remove the C clip from the other cap
tighten the press until the bottom cap comes off
switch the press and tighten to press the other cap out

Repeat procedure with other 2 caps. If it was as bad as mine you may have to tighten the press then hit it with a hammer... tighten the press, hit with hammer... etc, etc. A word of warning... if you use an impact you will likely break a cap. If that happens use one of the caps you pressed out to press the broken cap out.
Old 11-27-2011, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by E-Rok
not doubting you at all, but what special tools do you have to use to get caps that install from the outside removed? you obviously cant press on them from the outside.
Originally Posted by razor02097
+1 for the ball joint press. Here is how I did mine...

ball joint press is used with no adapters...
position ball joint press on first cap and tighten
remove the C clip out of the cap
turn the press around and press the other cap down
remove the C clip from the other cap
tighten the press until the bottom cap comes off
switch the press and tighten to press the other cap out

Repeat procedure with other 2 caps. If it was as bad as mine you may have to tighten the press then hit it with a hammer... tighten the press, hit with hammer... etc, etc. A word of warning... if you use an impact you will likely break a cap. If that happens use one of the caps you pressed out to press the broken cap out.
^^^^^ Like this. Razor nailed it. Once you get one side pressed out enough, sometimes you can grab it with a pair of Visegrips and twist it back and forth to help free it.

Last edited by Desert Rat; 11-27-2011 at 06:55 PM.
Old 11-27-2011, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Desert Rat
^^^^^ Like this. Razor nailed it. Once you get one side pressed out enough, sometimes you can grab it with a pair of Visegrips and twist it back and forth to help free it.
I understand that working once the first cap is out but how would pressing on one cap make the other one move when the cap you are pressing on is barely going to move? lol I guess I need a visual aid
Old 11-27-2011, 07:06 PM
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I finally got the whole u-joint out of the driver side shaft. Used a hammer to beat the hell out of it and a little help from my vice and it worked. Im shocked.
Hey "longarm" good thing I used that press you know so much about!


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