I know there are several threads but I am replacing the u=joints I tried pressing them out in a vice but it did not work so any help would be appreciated

 

A press is the best way but I have used an old socket the same size as the cups to "beat the snot out of em" and they always come out. A LITTLE heat on the shaft ears may help persuade them to move as well if they are really rust welded.

 

on my rear drive shaft i had to beat the f**king smithereens out of them with a socket and RBFH to get them out.

+1 press is best and heat helps.

 

c clamps and a vice are not strong enough, so don't try them. i broke one of each before i put my drive shaft on an arbor press.
for my axle u joints i used a cheap socket and a hammer. don't hammer the cap all the way out like i did. hammer it half way out and grab the cap with some vice grips to twist it out the rest of the way or you'll have to cut the u joint and the caps like i did. after you pull the cap that was half way out off then you can put the socket on the end of the u joint and knock the other one out.
oh yeah, don't forget to take the c clips off first.
see what i had to do:

 

All you need is a sturdy bench vise and a decent hammer (I use a 3 pounder). Open the vice wide enough for the yoke to fit sideways (so that the outer stub is rested on the lips of the vise) and start smacking the yoke just behind the cap. flip over and repeat. Once the inner shaft is free, grab the stub and do the same, with the exposed ends of the u-joint now resting on the vise lips.

To get the new ones in, use the flat anvil portion of the vise. Place the cap on the anvil, put the yoke over the cap, slip the joint into place, and then hit the opposite side of the yoke until the cap is seated. But be sure that the joint is into the cap far enough that the needle bearings are secured (I usually drive the first cap through further than necessary so that the joint is into both caps before I start driving the next one in). If you don't, at best you'll have to repeat the job. Most likely, you'll damage the bearings and have to buy another joint.

You can use a press, but it's kinda cumbersome and really sucks without air tools. With a hammer and vise, I can swap out a joint in about 5 minutes. Despite having both screw and hydraulic presses at my disposal, this is my preferred method.

 

well i guess ill try the vice again and if all else fails ill just cut em out with the oxy

 

im just curious did u take the clips off first???? just asking i noticed no one said that yet and i did mine about 1 month ago with a friend and it took us bout 30 mins. We replaced both u-joints

 

there are no clips on these u-joints at least not on my truck and the new ones do not have them either

 

i guess that's because i have a 97 but i was just wondering plus my front one was shot the cups had started to stick out of the shaft, the only reason it was still on was the clips...

 

they are supposed to have clips.
are you sure the oxy torch won't get too hot? i would be worried about warping the yokes. i used a cutoff wheel on my 4 1/2" grinder to cut off one ear of the u joint and the dremel to cut the cap off the opposite side.