ohio95xj

So today I decided to put full circle clips and and 760 u joints in my spare shafts. While I was trying to press out the u joints the ears started to Bend a little bit. I couldn't get the u joints out and I didn't want to further damage the ears. I decided to let them soak in on blaster for a few days. I was thinking of using heat. But if I heat the ears they are more likely to Bend, the ears that are bending are on the bottom where the load of the press is. Any ideas? And is it still okay to use the shafts if I Bend it back?

SeriousOffroad

This is why I don't use a press. I have a piece of 1"x4" rod that I hold with a pair of vise-grips and smack with a 4lb engineers hammer. Works every time.

Instant shock and the u-joints move. Never bent an axle ear.

ohio95xj

Okay. I will try that. Do you think it's still okay to use the shafts? 2 ears bent slightly. 1 on outer shaft and 1 on inner. The plan was to install these on the tj. The. Eventually use the factory tj shafts as spares when I get some more 760's

SeriousOffroad

If it was mine....scrap pile.
Once they start bending it's just a matter of time.

ohio95xj

Maybe, just keep em as spares for mine? I mean. It's better than nothing, since I already have them. I haven't Touches the passenger side yet, so it is still good.

Atmos

I don't use a press either. I use the old pliers holding a socket with a hammer trick. The one time I had a major problem removing ujoints was because I forgot to remove the snap rings. You remembered to remove the factory snap rings right?

I'd scrap the shafts as well. The thing about spares is I usually end up leaving them installed. I'd rather just go find a new shaft to be safe

SeriousOffroad

Never worry about u-joints again....
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...rokee-XJ-85-01

ohio95xj

No thanks serious. Already have chromoly shafts, don't want to spend the $$$ on rcv.

ohio95xj

I think I''ll scrap that shaft, use the hammer/ socket trick on the other side, so at least I have 1 spare shaft worth a Damn.

XJlimitedx99

I'm happy I'm reading this now. I just got the tools to do my failing u-joint and was planing to do it tomorrow. Would it be better to use a press to apply pressure then smack it with a BFH?

blkcheerio

I've always used a couple chucks of 4x4 and a mini sledge.. works great..

884x4

I use the socket and a bfh on all my u joints. Never had a problem

ohio95xj

May be a stupid question, but what do you guys use to support the shaft when you hit it. Vice?

884x4

A couple pieces of 2x4

JamromXJ

Ball joint press from Advanced Auto works really good. I also use an old disc brake rotor. It works pretty good.

As for the bent ear. I bent one of mine slightly as well... I'm talking 1/8". I heated it and bent it back with a BFH. No issues.

You can bend metal slightly, as long as you heat it and let it cool normally by air. If you bent it like 1/4... that's one to replace for sure.

JR