driveshaft removal question...u joints

i've never removed u joints before and wanna take the driveshaft out of my model a...it's a ford rear and C-4 trans from the 70's...it looks like they have a clip that you take out...and then does it just come apart,or does it need to be pesuaded?
thanks

sorry if this was a stupid question that everyone should already know the answer to

 

you need to take out the clip. and yes they do need to be persuaded to come out.

best done with some sort of a press or vise. use adapter for the pressingon the cup with a hollw one behind for it to press into.

don't be tepted to use a hammer to do it. you will probably bend the cups.


jerry

 

And if you are using the shaft again, don't be tempted to tighten IT very hard into any kind of vice or clamp. I learned this lesson the hard way when I found the previous owner of my Ford did just that, which put 2 parallel dimples in the driveshaft. It was enough to throw it just slightly out of balance until on day it developed the worst vibration ever, it took out the tailshaft seal, bent the tailshaft and chewed up the bushing in the tailhousing.

 

it's still under the car...what kind of press?

 

[ QUOTE ]
stupid question that everyone should already know the answer to

[/ QUOTE ]

not stupid,

get a book like a shop manual for the car the parts came out of and/or ask someone who's willing to crawl under the car to show you.

pull the two U bolts at the rear U joint and slide the shaft back out of the trans,

be ready to stop the fluid at the tailshaft.

a ziplock baggy and rubber band works in a pinch.

(you can take the shaft in to have the joints installed)

Paul

 

thanks...giving it a shot