Triumph U-Joint replacement

[tymill]

At least one of the U-joints on my mk1 Roadster is pretty shot, and I've got to replace them soon.

Has anyone had much experience with u-joint replacement? I've never done it, and it seems as if the job requires some specialised tools and a press if the parts are stubborn. Is this usually the case?

Unfortunately, I don't really have access to a garage here in London - could this potentially be a parked-on-the-side-of-the-road job?

Any advice or help with planning (or help hands-on!) would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Regards,
Ty

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Triumph U-Joint replacement

Ty
Are we talking propshaft u/j's? If so then it depends on whether the joint is held in place by circlip or 'staked' Staked type will require replacing by propshaft specialist, the circlip type you can do yourself with circlip pliers[obviously] and hide/copper faced hammer.Remove circips and 'shock' the cups out with repeated blows to the yoke adjacent to the cup.

[b_caswell]

Re: Triumph U-Joint replacement

Hi Ty, Im not sure about doing on the road side but you only need normals tools to remove either the prop or drive shafts but you will need axle stands. You will also have to disconnect the brake hydraulics for the drive shafts.
I normally found you had to press the cups out in a vice, never had much luck with the hammer. Its possible you could find a friendly engineer shop that could do the joints. I would recomend getting the prop shaft balanced afterwards. I would also make sure the replacement joints are the greasable type that take a nipple.
I would also recomend using new nyloc nuts on the flange bolts.

[tymill]

Re: Triumph U-Joint replacement

Hi, thanks for the advice. Always well appreciated! Will tackle the job in a few weekends' time - too cold outside now!

[tymill]

Re: Triumph U-Joint replacement

Hi, I'm happy to report that I successfully did this job a few weeks ago. Went surprisingly smoothly! Key was to pull up the panel that forms the top of the transmission tunnel so you can get access to the front UJ from top and bottom. It's then quite straightforward.

Very glad I replaced them, though old one was VERY shot!