U Joint Tool - Recommendations

Good evening fellow TACO owners... I notice that when I Google U Joint tools I get returns which 'seem' to be more geared toward Ball Joint (first) and U Joint (second), which is a hefty C Clamp and lots of adapters to use with it. I recently replaced the three UJ's when replacing the center carrier bearing and if I have to do that again, I sure don't want to bang 'em out/in with a hammer. The videos I reviewed which a UJ press was utilized seemed to be easier. What have y'all used? Any particular model (kit) worked better that an another? I don't mind spending a little extra $$$ to get a better quality one. As always, thanks for any/all help!

Jack

 

Guys in my off-road club just use the big C-clamp-type ball joint press. If the included adapters don't fit, you can always use sockets.

 

I'm a pro and I use hammer, vice, and c clamp.

Some guys use pneumatic hammers with adapters, but you need a hell of a compressor to power them.

Big thing is use mechanical advantage and patience.

 

Vice or hammer with socket.

 

Yea the hammer method often has a few needle rollers dropping so apply more grease onto them in the cup before you start.
I went to my big vise but any of the big c-clamps kit works and both Advance and AZ have a free tool rental that has one so use theirs.
Advance even lists one kit for u-joints - free when returned.
Powerbuilt Tools Kit 46, Ball Joint/U Joint Service Set (23 Piece) 648617 - Advance Auto Parts

Merry Xmas and Happy New Years!

 

I just used a ball point hammer to get them in. To get them out I use the same ball point hammer and the ones that would not come out I used my shop press.

 

Tiger tool U-Joint tool. I have one that fits my 1 and 3/4 ton trucks and the one I have for my old Jeep TJ should work for the Taco. A little pricey but makes short work out of removing old U-joints.

 

Nice, thanks for the link with a particular brand. I did read that some borrowed this kit from their local auto store...I didn't look in to that at the time. I don't mind spending a little bit for particular tool(s) which I may need again. I've seen similar type kit prices from ~ $45 on up on Amazon and elsewhere... Appreciate you taking the time to comment and share... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours as well!

 

FWIW... learning to swap a u-joint with a hammer and socket is a valuable skill to have it you offroad in remote places.

EDIT: Use a brass hammer instead of steel and it'll help preserve the socket

 

big old C clamp and a couple sockets, and a ball peen hammer, just in case I drive them to far in. but yes 100% an awesome skill to have

have you ever seen the youtube video of the guys at tom woods building the drive shafts? they use a hammer and a pair of snap ring pliers, for most of the install its a bit wild seeing how i was taught by my grandfather and these guys are slamming them home with a few quick strikes, thought they are using new parts

 

You can rent a set from Autozone or Oreilly's get your money back when you return it

 

Another vote for the ball joint C clamp, which I got for my BJ’s and used it on the u-joints.

 

Ball-Peen Hammer is what I assume you mean.

 

AutoZone ball joint press. I just replaced the u-joints and carrier bearing on my truck. Made the job easy.

 

Thanks, I'm gonna go the route of a C clamp press next time around with UJ's. Now whether I rent one or just buy a "good one", that's where I am, at present. The $45 one or the "better rated" $250 one...choices, ya know. Appreciate you sharing!

 

AutoZone charged my CC $148 when I "rented" the press. Then, credited my card back when I returned it. For something that I won't need again for a long time, I figured the free rental was the way to go.

 

Exactly

 

I wish I had a picture of this, but once my brother and I used sockets, a floor jack, and a receiver hitch on one stubborn u-joint. It was rusted in there. Even then it didn't come out, it was just lifting the truck until we hit the top of the receiver with BFH. It's all it took, that sharp blow. It was in our younger years with no shop to work in, just the outdoors.

 

+1 on the C clamp style ball joint press. Bought the harbor fright set a few months back and it worked great. I grew up doing them with sockets and hammer, vise, then a shop press, many ways to do it. haven't tried the tiger tool but it looks interesting.

 

Yess. I just bought one from wally world.