I brought the assembly inside this morning and had another look at it. The clips are in the grooves for the most part, but the joint is solid. You can move it with a little force, and it is smooth when it moves, but I thought the joint was supposed to be completely free. I know when I changed my axle u joint, once i had the joint in place you could hold the axle and have the hub rotate freely. Is the the same for driveshaft u joints?

 

I can't answer that one. I would think you would not want any play in it, but would want it to turn smoothly. I will be watching for some more input from the smarter members

 

I agree with you, and like I say, when you apply a little bit of force, the joint will rotate smoothly in either direction. I thought maybe since these u joints are right out of the t case, they are supposed to be a little more snug in order to take more force?

 

i know i should go back and try to understand this more of what yoru saying, but im lazy... if its a ujoint. once its in, it should not move... wheather its on the t-case side ( also known as the carden joint) or the axle side... once those clips are on, the driveshaft shodl be solid...

 

I disagree meanwhitemopar. The joints should all move around with little to no effort at all (when you hold the shaft, the ends should move around on there own).

When I replace u-joints, after I press them all together and get the clips in I will check the "tightness" of it. If it is not free (which it often is not... much like you are saying yours are), I smack one side of the yoke with a hammer and then check it again. Just keep doing that until it moves freely. From my understanding, when they are tight like that they will wear out much faster.

And in my opinion, I would take the other two joints back for the rear portion, as the precision units will not last anywhere near as long as the spicer units, and replacing those are not quite as easy as the single ones.

 

I tried hitting the yoke with a hammer like you suggested olyelr, and it worked for the h piece! I think I might have to put the assembly in the vise to loosen the d bracket caps. I sourced out a replacement ball and spring today, so I will install everything later on this week when I get a free minute.

Oh, and I can't find anywhere local that stocks spicer u joints! I always end up with precisions! They must be harder to come by in canada.