I am just getting around to rebuilding my front 60 and have run into trouble with the shafts. In order to remove the old U-joints I had to pound and pound. Well it seems that the distance between the ears on the shafts has decreased and the new U-joints wont fit properly. I know the solution is to widen the distance but what is a safe method to do so? I don't really want to pound on the outer ears with a hammer cause it will maul the holes for the U-joint caps. Anyone have any ideas or solutions?
Thanks..

Sometimes I wonder what people were thinking when they decided to build it themselves :shaking: :flipoff2:



It's common for ANY axle shaft to have ears that get a little out of whack occasionally. Just set the inner end/tip of the offending ear(s) on something solid (the flat part of a solidly mounted vice works great). Then give the axle shaft a good whack or two with the hammer. You can hit the axle shaft at the base of the ear or on the terminating part of the shaft right before the ears. Get it to where it looks good and you can fit the joint in. If the joint is very tight on installatio it won't turn freely. Repeat the process I described above with the joint installed until you get the ears aligned properly. The resistance to rotation of the joint is minimal when they are aligned correctly. I believe this process is called detensifying.

Building=Learning cause we all can't know everything so :flipoff2:

Thanks for the answer too, I'll give it a shot:D

Originally posted by the TJ kid
Building=Learning cause we all can't know everything so :flipoff2:

I just figured somebody swapping in a D60 front would have had experience changing a u-joint before (detensifying is used for driveshafts also), but I guess those days are gone :flipoff2:

Originally posted by bigdude


I just figured somebody swapping in a D60 front would have had experience changing a u-joint before (detensifying is used for driveshafts also), but I guess those days are gone :flipoff2:
:laughing: BWAHAHAHA

Yeah, you even have to do the same shit with D30 shafts. I sure hope you went through a few u-joints in a 30 before you decided you needed a 60:flipoff2:

FYI I've changed lots of U-joints but have never run into the above problem. There is always a first time for everything I guess. I thought it would be better to get some advice than beat the piss out of the shafts.....I even learned a new word "detensifying"...........:)
Thx..

Originally posted by LAME

:laughing: BWAHAHAHA

Yeah, you even have to do the same shit with D30 shafts. I sure hope you went through a few u-joints in a 30 before you decided you needed a 60:flipoff2:

:laughing: My point exactly ;)

There could be another issue.

I could only get 1 spicer joint last time I changed them on my 60. I bought a @#$@# Neapco joint instead. The Neapco joint is just a hair wider across the clips than the spicer joint. I used thinner clips instead and it worked fine until I got the spicer replacement.

Interesting. I'm not using spicer joints either so maybe that could be a problem. Though when I put the joint in the joint binds and wont moe freelel plus the shaft ears seem to be spaced about 1/8 of an inch too small.....I'll compare joints tonight when I get to the garage.
Thx

I have a lead hammer for soft little taps like this. I found the sucker in a garage sale and has been an extreamly well used and loved tool in my shop.

I would guess that you have a needle bearing that fell during the cap installation....

Pull both caps off of the problem side of the ujoint and look for a lone needle in the bottom of the cap...

I just installed new u-joints last night for my buddy who is installing a 60 in his TJ... It took three tries to get one cap on without a needle falling, even with a thick coat of grease to help hold them in place.

I have had problems with any joint except for a spicer...funny since they built the 60 to begin with maybe they still have the right specs. But anyways I have broke alot of 60 joints before and decided I now need ctm's but try some spicer joints either 332x or the little bit stronger 733x? i think it is out of a 99 and newer ford super duty.
good luck,
Jon

Detensifying is a new word to me. I spell it different, beattheshitoutofit.
Really, tight ujoints always loosen right up with a couple well-placed whacks.

Detensifying..........:eek: :rolleyes:

That sounds like it cost quite a bit at the big word store:flipoff2: