I put the u joint back in the 54 GMC today and was curious as to if it was worn as the two caps that are held in by the c clips slid in without a press ,Once the clips are in it cannot come out but the caps move inward .There is no play but on some of the videos I seen a press is used to get them out .I have a spare joint that is in the yoke and I cannot move the caps .The u joint is not new but shows no wear .
I had a u-joint once on my F250 that I could press the cups into the yoke with my thumbs. I wound up replacing the yoke. Not sure about a 54 GMC, but I think they should be a press fit.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Of the hundred or so u joints I have replaced on farm machinery drivelines of all kinds and sizes, I never ran into one that didn't need some type of pressure to repair. Some only required a hammer and proper-sized socket to drive out, some needed to be pressed out but none needed thumb pressure only.
The longevity of that joint would be suspect to me. Sure, it may be held in place by the clips but there is bound to be play, however imperceptible it may be, which will eventually cause that joint to fail, probably at the most inopportune moment.
Or, one could use the hired-hand approach... "Oh, I reckon it'll be alright."
Last edited by Jethro in Va; 02/18/20249:28 AM. Reason: Correction
~~ Jethro 1954 3100 Back to Life In the Dity Gallery 1951 3100 (gone) / 1956 4400 (still in the neighborhood) / 1957 6400 with dump body (retired) / 1959 3100 panel (in the woods junked) / 1978 Custom Deluxe K10 / 1993 S-10 4.3 / 2004 Chevy Crew Cab / 1945 John Deere H / 1952 John Deere B / 1966 John Deere 2510 / 1967 John Deere 1020
I doubt it matters whether the grooves go toward the front or back. The oil is going to get in there no matter what. I don't recall the replacement u-joint I got had those grooves.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
