U joints press tool

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Oriley auto parts will loan you the ball joint press for free

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...gh-ball-joint-u-joint-press-set/67045/4700260

 

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

 

I was thinking of getting this one..

Astro 7865 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit with 4-wheel Drive Adapters

$72 Astro Pneumatic Tool 7865 Ball Joint Service Tool with 4-wheel Drive Adapters

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061SGJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-a9RCb6171G3H



I've never dealt with u joints so I don't know how much damage I can do to them by using a hammer and socket. I want to be able to reuse them but the manual claims they aren't reusable .........

 

That’s the type of kit I was suggesting.

 

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.

 

NEVER

A u-joint is a consumable part and dirt cheap in the grand scheme of things.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Borrow one from O’Reilly’s.

 

Spicer with a grease fitting. Grease it every 10k miles and it should last forever.

 

Spicer is the OEM joints!

Get this joint, will fit all the rear u joints and is greaseable

$33 Spicer 5-1330-1X U-Joint Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOI8BDS/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I'll have to get the one that fits my 08 double cab. This one says it won't fit.

 

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

 

I saw that once. I'll have to hunt it down again.

 

I actually have a 08 4x4 DC too and just found a spare u joint I had laying around. PN

$33 5-1330-1X U-Joint Kit

5-1330-1X. Spicer greasable U joint.

 

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.