Can you change U-joints without a press?
Some people will tell you that you’ll need a hydraulic press in order to replace U-joints—those people are wrong. The truth is that with a few sockets you probably already have in the toolbox, a hammer, and a basic bench vise, you can easily knock out worn U-joints and wrap up the repair as an afternoon project.
What tools do I need to change U-joints?
Materials Needed
- Extensions.
- Hammer.
- Pliers.
- Ratchets and sockets.
- Screwdrivers.
- Shop rags.
- U-joints.
- Vise.
What are the symptoms of bad u-joints?
Signs of a Bad U-Joint
- Clunking or Clanging. Your vehicle’s U-joint may eventually wear at connecting points to the drive-shaft.
- Vibrations. If your driveshaft is out of balance, it’s often because of a defective universal joint.
- Grinding or Chirping.
- Loud Banging.
Do you need to replace the universal joint in your car?
A clicking or clunking sound from under your car may indicate a worn universal joint at the drive shaft. Universal joint replacement may seem like a tall task, but it can be done by a novice mechanic with regular tools . The first step in replacing your u-joint is getting at it. To do this, you’ll need to remove the drive shaft.
What’s the best way to replace a U-joint?
With the driveshaft out of the car or truck, the next step is to remove the joint and its bearings. You’ll need to mount the end in a vice, then tap the bearing through far enough to get the joint to drop out. In most cases, a spark plug socket is the perfect tapping tool.
How do you know if ball joints need to be replaced?
Inspect the ball joints to make sure they need to be replaced. Figure out if your vehicle’s got a strut-style suspension or a control arm, then check the ball joint by either jacking up the control arm near the ball joint to check for wheel play, or by jacking up the car and using a pry-bar to check for wheel play in a strut-style suspension.
How do you put a new ball joint in a car?
Slide the new rubber boot over the ball joint’s stud and guide the new ball joint back up through the steering knuckle hole, where it came from. Bolt the joint into place using the hardware included.
How to replace a lower control arm ball joint?
Replacing a Lower Control Arm Ball Joint. Learn how to replace a lower ball joint by pressing it out of the control arm and pressing the new one back in. To watch the longer, in depth version, click the link below. Press out a Ball Joint (In-depth):
How do you put a new ball joint in a car?
Slide the new rubber boot over the ball joint’s stud and guide the new ball joint back up through the steering knuckle hole, where it came from. Bolt the joint into place using the hardware included.
Do you need wheel alignment after replacing ball joints?
Always have a wheel alignment performed after replacing ball joints. Getting an alignment will ensure that all suspension and steering components are at the correct manufacturer’s specified angles for proper performance and prevent your tires from wearing prematurely. Thanks! This article was co-authored by Mike Parra.