I just spent a couple of hours removing the universal joint
from a hub assembly. I wanted to be very careful not to damage
anything, but in the end I destroyed the bearing caps. Everything
else is okay though, and I had already ordered new U-joints, so its
no great loss. But I figure there is something in the procedure I am
missing. The Haynes manual says to remove the retaining clips and then
tap on the yoke with a soft metal hammer until the caps start to come
come out. I didn't have a soft metal hammer, but I was careful to
hold a piece of oak over the yoke when I hit it. Sure enough, after
many hits the caps came out about about 1/8 inch each, but that was
it. I used WD40 and penetrating oil, but no amount of banging would
get those caps farther out. So what is the secret? What would a
machine shop use to do the job? For the life of me I can't see how
a press would be much use in getting BOTH caps out.
Thanks for any advice.
Tim
Tim Gaines
Clinton, SC
1980 Spitfire
1974 TR6
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