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U joints press tool

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Desert Honda Squid, Apr 11, 2019.

  1. Apr 11, 2019 at 3:15 AM
    #1
    Desert Honda Squid

    Desert Honda Squid [OP] Fixer of stuff I broke

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    I may be doing u joints in the near future and, although an alternative, hammer and socket are not what I'd like to use.

    What u joint press/tool do you all use or recommend? I found a few on Amazon between $46-$140.
     
  2. Apr 11, 2019 at 4:36 AM
    #2
    dofartshavelumps

    dofartshavelumps Well-Known Member

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    sockets and a vise will work. HF has a ball joint press that should also work.

    Maybe someone can chime in but I think you need to mark how everything was situated before removal and install the same way to avoid vibration.
     
  3. Apr 11, 2019 at 4:42 AM
    #3
    Exracer2

    Exracer2 Well-Known Member

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    I have the standard C style press but honestly I use a hammer and socket most of the time. The press is my trail fix solution when I don’t have a ton of tools with me. My suggestion is look at a ball joint kit. They usually use the exact same press but also have the cups for doing ball joints as well. Bigger initial investment but better bang for the buck in the end.

    I have done u-joints that were tiny like 1” across and massive with 3”cups and 8” across. A press is only really nessecary on really poorly maintained and seized joints. At that point it is usually easier to just torch the joint out. A press (hydraulic) can do more damage than good if you don’t know what you are doing and the same can be said of the C style clamp presses but to a much lesser degreee. You bend the ears on the shaft and good luck getting it back together.

    Years back I had a custom driveshaft made and the guys at the shop were using the hammer method. I was waiting so I asked why not a C press or hydraulic? Too slow was their answer. They did transport sized joints in 5 minutes or less to remove and replace each joint. After that I stopped trying to be so gentle. My neighbor who is a mechanical engineer (and a great mechanic to boot) was doing joints and after watching him do the first one in a half hour I grabbed the shaft and did the other end in a couple of minutes.

    Buy a ball joint kit, a C press, or a bigger hammer. I have them all and my hammer is the one I grab first.
     
    cruxofthebisquit and mtip like this.
  4. Apr 11, 2019 at 8:27 AM
    #4
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    rmepilot likes this.
  5. Apr 11, 2019 at 8:43 AM
    #5
    4WD FTW

    4WD FTW Well-Known Member

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    Icon Suspension Kit Pelfrey Bumper and Skid 4.56 Gears Detroit TruTrac Rear Archive Hammer Hangers Deaver U402 Stage 1
    I got a cheap C shape press on Amazon - u joints were cake. I was able to use my cheap little impact wrench hooked up to my little air compressor to press them in and out. And it will also come in handy for lower balljoints although the tacoma has a unique cup size you'd have to order
     
  6. Apr 11, 2019 at 4:41 PM
    #6
    Desert Honda Squid

    Desert Honda Squid [OP] Fixer of stuff I broke

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    4WD FTW and revtune like this.
  7. Apr 11, 2019 at 5:05 PM
    #7
    Exracer2

    Exracer2 Well-Known Member

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    That’s the type of kit I was suggesting.
     
  8. Apr 11, 2019 at 5:27 PM
    #8
    Desert Honda Squid

    Desert Honda Squid [OP] Fixer of stuff I broke

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    I'll buy it. I plan on building up a tool collection anyways.

    Also, are u joints reusable? I don't know how much damage they take when trying to remove them.
     
  9. Apr 11, 2019 at 7:00 PM
    #9
    Exracer2

    Exracer2 Well-Known Member

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    NEVER

    A u-joint is a consumable part and dirt cheap in the grand scheme of things.
     
  10. Apr 11, 2019 at 7:04 PM
    #10
    revtune

    revtune Dreaming of a 4.7 Tacoma

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    5100 front struts set on top perch trd sport coils Spc upper control arms 5100 rear shocks toytec add a leaf 1 inch rear block Longer U-bolts 17x7 SR5 (2014) 4Runner Wheels p285/70/17 Falken At3w AFE Stage 2 si with volant ram scoop MAF Calibrator 4.30 gears Undercover bed cap Weathertech floor liners
    You’re on the right track, yes get that c clamp presser, it helped me a lot. Only use the hammer and socket method sparingly. I also recommend getting some sand paper so you can lightly “hone” any ruff ness out of the yoke eyes. Otherwise there will be resistance when trying to press the bearing caps into place.
     
  11. Apr 11, 2019 at 7:24 PM
    #11
    Desert Honda Squid

    Desert Honda Squid [OP] Fixer of stuff I broke

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    I figured that's why it stated non-reusable in the manual.

    Now the worst question to ask since it's tasters choice......

    OEM or aftermarket? (SPICER)

    Im sure unless I screw it up, the spider should be fine.
     
  12. Apr 11, 2019 at 7:29 PM
    #12
    rmepilot

    rmepilot Well-Known Member

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    Borrow one from O’Reilly’s.
     
  13. Apr 11, 2019 at 7:29 PM
    #13
    toyodajeff

    toyodajeff Well-Known Member

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    Spicer with a grease fitting. Grease it every 10k miles and it should last forever.
     
    4WD FTW likes this.
  14. Apr 11, 2019 at 8:19 PM
    #14
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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  15. Apr 11, 2019 at 8:36 PM
    #15
    Desert Honda Squid

    Desert Honda Squid [OP] Fixer of stuff I broke

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  16. Apr 11, 2019 at 9:14 PM
    #16
    4WD FTW

    4WD FTW Well-Known Member

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    Icon Suspension Kit Pelfrey Bumper and Skid 4.56 Gears Detroit TruTrac Rear Archive Hammer Hangers Deaver U402 Stage 1
    There's a thread on here about replacing U joints where they supply part numbers. Just go off their PN. I wouldn't trust the parts sites
     
  17. Apr 11, 2019 at 9:17 PM
    #17
    Desert Honda Squid

    Desert Honda Squid [OP] Fixer of stuff I broke

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    I saw that once. I'll have to hunt it down again.
     
  18. Apr 11, 2019 at 9:19 PM
    #18
    4WD FTW

    4WD FTW Well-Known Member

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    Icon Suspension Kit Pelfrey Bumper and Skid 4.56 Gears Detroit TruTrac Rear Archive Hammer Hangers Deaver U402 Stage 1
  19. Apr 12, 2019 at 5:45 AM
    #19
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    It will fit no problem. Never trust the Amazon "will this fit my vehicle" all 2nd gen stock rear driveshafts (prerunner or not) all have the same size joint (some came with greaseable ones some not. The one i linked to is the exact same joint that toyota uses.
     

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