Reference: Loose Universal Ends

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All


Well fixing the brake adjuster lead to discovering a problem I didn't know the truck had.


Universal 1.jpg

While I was degreasing the back of the brake plates decided to degrease the rear axle and the drive shaft. As the dirt came off I noticed something that didn’t look right. The paint on the two of the universal cups was worn away in a nice circular pattern. Grabbed the drive shaft and something moved. Look at the video to see what and how it was moving

Univesal 2.jpg



https://youtu.be/Yg9xQSyTcNs



After removing the drive shaft to the bench and removing the spring keepers was able to press the two rear caps on drive shaft side out by hand. The caps and bearings look good. It is that the caps no longer seem to fit as press fit anymore. I have a brand new Spicer Universal on the shelf that I will check to see if it's caps are a press fit.



So now to the question how do you tighten up the fit of the caps?


More to follow.


Cheers Phil


PS- Not sure my physical therapist would approve of me laying under the truck bench pressing drive shafts. Oh and excuse the audio at the end of the video I had an old movie on the TV in the shop.