Dave51

So I order a box of parts. Universals don't seem bad re: play, but they are UGLY. After 19 years, can't hurt to replace 'em. They wouldn't quite clear to get out of the yokes, but they make toolz for that:




I also got a spider rebuild kit cause they seem pretty sloppy.

Anyway if you do a search on rear clunk XJ you will get 26470 hits that say grease the slip yoke splines. Now mine moves easily, and that really never made sense to me, but obviously they do need maintenance periodically so I figure what the hey, lets scrub it up and put some of that pyroplex blue in there.

So U-joints are replaced, but the old ones were pretty solid, and slip yoke is lubed, although that seemed OK, I figure let's call it a day and do the spiders tomorrow.

Quick run for more parts.

The clunk is gone.

I mean not mostly gone.

Gone.

If I hadn't seen it myself I wouldn't have believed it. That slip yoke must be REALLY sensitive!

Anyway, my 2¢ to urge folks to add that to their periodic maintenance.

Got mine penciled in for another 19 years from now.

robertj

I need to do the same, and have had U-Joints sitting on my parts shelf for a couple of years. Thanks for the write-up. I will definitely get to it this Summer.

Dave51

A trouble spot could occur if you try to just squeeze or pry those clips out. They break into pieces and it's a huge PIA to get the pieces out.

However, one night soaking them in PB, and then kinda tapping them with the cold chisel and they pop right out with a few taps.

Then after that it's either BFH (hammer), BFV (vise) or BFHP (hydraulic press).

***Another potentially useful tip***

Grind down the sides of the grease gun tip so it will fit the between the ears of the U-joint once it's installed. The back might fit, the front is too tight for a Standard Tip.