I am trying to change out the u-joints in my front driveshaft. I had no problems getting the front one changed out but the back one is being a PITA. It won't even budge with 5-6 tons of pressure from a hydraulic press. I thought about heating it up with a propane torch but that will weaken the metal. Are there any other possible ways to remove it? I would leave it but it is the one that was actually bad.

Now for the gear question. About how much of a RPM difference would I see if I swapped from 3.55 to 3.31? I am looking at different gears to help get a little better gas mileage. Especially in the 80 to 100 MPH range.

 

not sure exactly about the gears and rpm difference.

You said you were changing the u joints right? So you dont care what happens to them? Id just take a hack saw to it...hopefully the stupid thing would come out. If that doesnt work then if its really good and stuck id take it to a 4 wheel parts store that does drive line mods and let them deal with it. But im sure you'll find some sort of way to get it out.


Good Luck.

 

Let's see, 1000 dollars to swap both front and rear gears...parts and labor, approx. or Installing bigger tires. If you have stock tires, and install say 31 inch tires, you have changed the effective gear ratio from 3.55 to approx 3.31 or so. Taller tires change the ratio, and are cheaper. Only thing is that the speedo will read fast.

Robbie
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If your u-joints have no retainer clips from the factory either inside or o they are held in with injected nylon around each u-joint cap. Ford and GM both use this design in some apps.The only way to get these joints out is with heat. aka "the torch" The heat will make the nylon flow out and let you press the caps out and dont hold you head directly over the cap your heating because it may decide to blow out. Dont ask me how I know this one. Good luck

 

Actually, taller tires alone will cause the speedo to read SLOW. But I think we all knew what you meant....

-Joe

 

I got the other end out. Spraying WD40 on it every few hours for a couple days helped a little.

 

I am furious now. The part with the 4 bolt holes and 2 holes for the u-joint got bent when they pressed the u-joint out of it. I'm glad they didn't mess up the driveshaft. Now I am without 4wd for another week. I hope it doesn't snow or get icy.