Hi guys. I dropped off my driveshaft to a local dealer to have my oem joints replaced(bought spicers) mech said he had to use a lot of heat to get the plastic out to release the joints. Said they were popping/snapping ect. There a dodge dealer and they were familiar with the oem plastic that holds joints in. Said they had to use more heat them normal compared to dodge setups. My concern is my driveshaft (aluminum)weakended due to the extensive heat used? I'm going to the track soon! Plz advise!

 

Standard practice to get the stock caps out, you will be fine. I actually enjoy heating them, reminds me of the snakes you light on the 4th.
Hopefully they marked the yoke for reassembly otherwise it's going to rattle the **** out of the car.

Just make sure there isn't any bends, creases or excessive damage if they clamped the driveshaft in a vise, something that shouldn't be used especially on aluminum driveshafts!

 

As long as you think the excess heat didn't weaken it. I marked the yoke and told them about it. Pick it up today so I'll look for vise marks! Let you know thx

 

If you use the proper tool to remove them you DON"T heat them. Doesn't anyone hire professionals anymore? That is ok with a steel DS but heating a aluminum DS is asking for FUBAR. Hopefully they didn't soften the alum too much.

 

That's not true, standard practice for a home mechanic but no professional would heat and hammer on a DS!

 

Proper replacement would involve indexing the driveshaft to the differential and using the proper U joint press to remove and install the joints. Same press is used for ball joints.

Can they be heated and hammered out? YES but not on my DS that's going to be spinning @ engine speed going down the highway!

 

SPECIAL tool used to remove the factory glued in caps lol...

Assume I take a hammer to put caps back on?
You sound like a special kind of person, I would love to meet you!

 

Must be a tough shaft! No vibration tg! Did a couple launches and driveshaft is still there wooohoooooo

 

Yeah GM HAMMERS all the ujoints into the drive shafts

 

Please post pictures of this so called special tool. And no I wouldnt necessarily recommend hammering them I would recommend pressing them like a normal u joint once the plastic is removed.

 

There is no special tool

I just went through this with a conversion u-joint

They heat the plastic up enough to become soft and bubbly and Press it out, sounds pretty standard practice.

 

I just ordered me a 3.5mm aluminum driveshaft with the Yonnax Yoke and 1350 u-joins from MWC. Car still had the factory DS in it and with all the HP i'm running, the stocker had to go bye bye.

 

No special tool?...WHAT THE UCK do you call a u joint press? I hope none of you are professional mechanics. This post is typical of back yarders with no engineering experience.

 

You said

"If you use the proper tool to remove them you DON"T heat them. Doesn't anyone hire professionals anymore? That is ok with a steel DS but heating a aluminum DS is asking for FUBAR. Hopefully they didn't soften the alum too much"

Well the proper way is too heat them up and press them out so what are you talking about by not heating them up.. Where's the special tool that takes them out and doesn't use heat?

 

I heated mine up pressed them out and back in no vibration what so ever.......

 

http://www.sears.com/performance-too...FU6QHwodpBYNnA
Description Item # 00981790000P Model # W89304
Service press-fit upper and lower ball joints without removing the control arm. And U-joints on most cars and light trucks either on or off the vehicle. Wt. 17.5 lbs.

I use this onehttp://www.harborfreight.com/ball-jo...les-60827.html Its cheaper and works just as well if you know HOW TO USE a portable press.

If you understand how to use these tools the u joint comes out and goes back in with ease. Nothing gets damaged or heated or beat up.

I want you to all think a min, why would you want to heat aluminum that has been specially heat treated to live life as a drive shaft?

I know years ago steel drive shafts were the norm and beating the **** out of them was accepted practice. If all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail.

1st time I ever seen someone beating a u joint out in the shop I asked them WTH is wrong with you????? Go get the effin u joint press hanging OVER THERE on the tool wall. They said and I quote " WE DIDN"T KNOW WHAT THAT TOOL WAS MADE FOR"

You wouldn't beat your engine balancer off and onto your engine, why would you beat u joints off and on your drive shaft?


Beating on delicate parts like this is EXACTLY why people buy used cars with all kinds of vibrations and other BS problems.

 

Yes I am TY I think you are a special too l

 

You don't heat them when you use a press, they slide right out. That plastic doesn't need to be heated out. I know that's what you've been told or seen but trust me the press pushes u joints out like you eat pizza.

If you really feel the need to heat the plastic out I would use a electric heat gun, at least you won't change the aluminum structure like a flame would.

 

Why would there be?