Propshaft

[Swifty75]

Hi All

Isolated the rattling and vibrating problem on my car to the propshaft. I have taken it off today which was a chore as the exhaust had to come off too. It is the rear UJ which is completely shot. I started at it and got it half removed but one half of the UJ appears to be pinned? I think this was done on some BW35 cars?

I have just taken it to a local specialist who didn’t seem the most helpful and wanted £160 to balance and fit 2 UJs. I think I could buy a new/refurbed one for just over £200.

Has anyone else had problems with UJs? Is it possible to remove and refit this type? If not has anyone bought a propshaft recently and could you recommend?

Thanks for any help given.

Neil

[sujitroy]

Hello Neil,

I have both a BW35 and man prop shaft. Both use UJ that can be removed. I have two manual prop shafts and the shop I took them to for rebalancing said they were were bad. ( The splines where shot.) New cost here in US $500 for a custom one. I bought a CV type one from Rimmers. Inspected it and it was OK. Went to fit it almost a year later and noticed the rubber had split. They sent me a new one. I don't like the way the rubber gaiter / boot it fitted. If it splits again, I'm quite screwed. I kept the old one, but I cant see a way to put a new boot on it. I will try to dig out a photo and post.
If I have to do it again, I'd prefer to stick with the original type. If the UJ's wear out you can replace. One thing people should do is grease the splines periodically. One prop shaft has a grease, Zerk fitting, nipple.

Sujit

[MandM]

shame you not closer, i have one in shed with 2 new uj's on, travelled a couple of k
P1090507.JPG

[Swifty75]

Thanks all.

i managed to get the knackered UJ out. I am not sure why it was so tight in. I got a little bit of movement so much smashing with a lump hammer, and the use of a hub puller and the UJ cups fractured and broke. So much for the manual saying ‘some light taps with a hammer’!

The front UJ appears in good order, I would usually change it whilst I was there but I might leave well alone! Still got to get the new UJ in place at the back end though!

Why is everything such a trial! when I started the job yesterday I though I’d have it done by lunchtime.

[Phil S]

the best way is to use 2 sockets and a vice, one that fits over the cup and the other that fits in the cup, simples

[MandM]

the best way is to use 2 sockets and a vice, one that fits over the cup and the other that fits in the cup, simples

+1 and a second pair of hands make it a lot easier, don't be in a hurry, grease the rollers/needles to hold them better in the cup when fitting

[Swifty75]

I have just been and bought a vice from machine mart and the first new UJ cup has gone in so easily! Having the right tool for the right job is pretty key!

Cannot believe how tight the old ones were, they literally went convex with the weight of the blows i was giving by them with the lump hammer!

Think I’ll have a rest and finish the job tomorrow.

[sujitroy]

id change both UJs u have it out and UJs are not that expensive . now u have a vice should be easy peasy

[jbuckl]

easy Removal of the cups requires all traces of paint / dirt / rust to be removed prior to starting to move anything.

[Swifty75]

Managed to do both UJs. Nightmare getting the cups out though. It was thoroughly cleaned with brake cleaner, wire brush, and wiped clean. Once I’d pushed them half out there was no movement, even when in a vice. Got them out though, even had to use a grinder to break them.

All done now though. I have removed engines and gearboxes, rebuilt suspension, but never has a simple job required so much force.

Anyway the car is now running well again!

Cheers for all the advice.

[wilf]

All's well that ends well.