How-To Change a U-Joint with a Vise

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In this video I'll show you how to change a U-joint with a hammer and a vise. In previous videos I've shown you how to change a U-Joint using a press, and using only a hammer. But this method using a vise is probably the easiest, quickest way, especially for axle shaft U-joints.
Disclaimer - This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee, wrangler, or any jeep vehicle. May be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in jeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.

[@spdnet75]

This is an excellent video and while there is a description of how to do this in my Haynes Manual, it's so much better to see you do it. I'm a backyard mechanic and I try to do anything that I can without paying someone else, so this is a confidence booster for me, having not made the repair/replacement before. I love my '98 Jeep ZJ and I plan to drive it until it can no longer be fixed. Thank you so much!

[@justonemori]

It took me 1 hour of screwing around getting nowhere then I watched this video. The first one took 15 minutes because I was timid with the hammer. The second one took 5 minutes. Thanks!

[@frankirven253]

I like how calm and straightforward you are. Thanks for the information I'm going to go take my drive shaft off now told my girlfriend she can take it for a spin tomorrow.

[@JonnyJetPilot]

Thanks for the excellent video! After 25+ years working on cars, rebuilding engines, transmissions, etc... I've never actually replaced a u-joint before! Nice to see the process before I attempt it.

[@legacyhero2520]

Thanks heaps my husband was so stressed till I watched this video. You are a legend!

[@johnislow]

even though i own a zj grand cherokee, your videos have been very helpful, thank you for taking the time to make these videos. you have saved me alot of money and i enjoy doing the work myself on my jeep

[@Prop_2112]

Oh what a save . I'm watching this as I get ready to go out an use the vise to change my front U-Joints. I appreciate your Tutorials for the XJ. Thanks again.....

[@stanislawsteczko8998]

Thank you very much. It helped me a lot. I first tried to use two sockets and press the u joint out in the vise but I tried to hard and the vise literally exploded in two part. I had to buy a new one. Then I used Matts method and it went smoothly.

[@patrickcooper1122]

Lololol....Glad you didnt get hurt! Vise must have been Made in China! I think I would have tried that too, so thanks for being humble enough to share your mistake!

[@johnhancheck6851]

Thank you! You're vise technique worked like a charm after I had been fighting my drive-shaft for 2 hours - It took 6 minutes using your technique. Nice camera work and clear instruction. An now my confession. I am a Nissan Pathfinder (04) owner and found your video on a Google search after less helpful video's wew consutled. Thank you, again. John..

[@rickyeager354]

thanks for the video, i just changed my ujoints on my 2010 jku, your instructions worked perfect!!

[@XJMikey124]

Thanks for the video!!! It helped me a lot, and saved me $250 to have a shop replace 'em. I'll definitely be paying it forward.

[@justinthomas1194]

Matt, Can't say thanks enough you did a hell of a job keeping is simple. Thank you for the video and help!

[@nkdfun]

I thought this was 'How-To Change a U-Joint with a Vise'. It looks like you mostly used a hammer. I thought you might try to use the vise as a press.

[@TheAzsurvivor]

Nice, its a great skill to have lol. I've had to change everything short of my engine on the trail and knowing tricks when the tools you bring are limited is awesome. I am a long time XJ driver, your videos are great.

[@madmechanix4962]

Every single step in my cheap Jeep junkyard build.. I find on this channel.. so awesome.. thank you for all of the hard work M is for Matt B is for bleepin Jeep not bought!!! 🤔

[@sr7376]

These are really good videos. Based on these, and by preference, I have switched from a Wrangler to a Cherokee. I don't do any hardcore offroading, but your videos are great. I just picked up a 98 that was in great condition and a great price due to high miles. Being in the rust belt area, a Jeep with no rust, even with a high mileage inline 6 should last a long time if i take care of it.

[@anonymous_friend]

I never know what you are going to do at the end of a video. I always wait and see.

[@TastyChickenLegs]

Your videos are awesome. Great lighting, no wobbly camera and just the right combination of detail without a ton of useless chatter. This helped me tremendously.

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks for watching! we've got lots more good videos too!

[@bleepinjeep]

sure, thanks for watching!

[@edwincruz6789]

After you got done, looks like you’re going to need to replace it again with all that gentle approach you showed :-)

[@sarg199]

I thought you were going to press the caps in using the vice. But you pounded them on with a hammer just like in the "how to change a U-joint with a hammer" video. Gave me a chuckle. Great video though

[@brianwinston8627]

Thank you. Great video. Straight forward advice, and i am not scared to try this now! You have a new subscriber.

[@michaelwinkelsas1580]

easy peasy, another great vid, thank you

[@paulanderson388]

I would only use this method on a quick repair out in the field. You should always use a press or vice to remove or install u-joints to keep from damaging them with your "fitting tool". That way you don't need to bend the pee out of the slinger during the install.

[@zeddjb]

That seemed easy enough to do. I never had to change a U-joint before, but I feel more confident about doing it now. By the way, What type of grease was that you put in the cap? Is it a special kind that should be use for things like that?

[@travislopez6177]

Hello Matt, I am doing a u joint replacement for the first time on my 99 Jeep xj. I was able to get the you joint out and the new one in; however, one side is firm and kinda hard to move while the other end moves no problem. Can I leave it like that or fix it? Let me know. Thank you for the great videos I wouldn’t have come so far on my jeep project without them!

[@matthall2916]

Man I will be trying this on a trail. But if in my garage it takes me hrs I use 1k sandpaper and clean up my cap valleys. I also clean and paint my shafts were no bearing contacts. And when u spend the money for Molly shafts hard to hit with hammer lol. But great video definitely be using this method on trail

[@bajancobo6157]

Awesome job Bleep!

[@technical19d34]

Love these videos Matt, you've been a great help to me. Thanks!

[@darrentylor5473]

Really appreciate the video...thanks for taking the mystery out of something I will be doing very soon...

[@billtaylor4224]

Thanks. Good work. I for one might use a press instead of that heavy hammer.

[@eighthnotch_]

Matt I'm dying at the end, you look like the guy from "The Landing" in Airplane (1980).

[@bleepinjeep]

sweet, thanks for watching!

[@ianross3354]

Love your videos you seem to have one for everything I am about to do on my jeep

[@bleepinjeep]

"Standard Application - Use a good quality E.P. (Extreme Pressure) grease (Timken Test Load 45 lbs. min.) meeting N.L.G.I (National Lubricating Grease Institute) grade 2 specification. Grease must have an operating range of +325°F/ +163°C to -10°F/-23°C and be compatible with commonly used multipurpose greases such as Lithium Soap Types." but ya, I usually just use whatever I have in a can at the moment.

[@walkercustoms]

I use the vice to press the caps in and anti seize on the end caps also some 220 sandpaper to clean out the ear holes and on badly corroded ear inners I shave them bare smooth with a cutting wheel so the c clips go in. But be very careful not to take off too much if you do that.

[@NorEastBeast]

What if your dust cap is no longer usable? Do I need it? If so what's the actual part called? Thanks Matt your'e a life saver.

[@leh3827]

The old time mechanic I apprenticed under said, "Don't forget to drive (using large blunt drift, and hammer) the joint in both directions after you have the clips in place. It takes the preload off between the caps and the cross. It is the life of the ujoint."

[@officialWWM]

You make this look so easy!

[@JGR1517]

youre awesome man. you keep it on topic, quick and effective these videos are saving me alot of headaches!

[@johndodeengelbrecht1960]

My experience was much more violent with lots of cursing and lasted at least 4 beers lol 👍 thanks Matt!

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks. vise is the easiest way to go of all 3.

[@djdave011]

That works GREAT man THANK YOU

[@fredkuhn165]

Good info to get you going, but that’s hack work bending the flange. Especially planning it that way. Use a shim to get above the flange

[@bleepinjeep]

ya I tried but it was stuck on and was bending trying to get it off. figured this would be easier.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That's so awesome this will help me fix my u joints on my ford 1 ton axle appreciate the video I learned alot

[@stumps6473]

This video helped me out a lot. Thanks

[@wirednutt698]

So glad I watched! I might have actually tried to use the vise as a press, but now I know it's just an anvil. 👍🏼😁😜😒

[@leerajib3398]

I love the video very helpful tks...and I couldn't help to notice the nice watch. ...

[@bleepinjeep]

will do

[@yhwyorthehwy2476]

when using a vice to bend metal back u should do it slowly and carefully or else the metal will bend again or even break. also your not supposed to hammer in a new u joint. ball joint presses work great for this. u can use a impact gun to get the old ones out

[@e1488]

Hey Matt, that ring of the shaft comes off, if you tap it a bit it should come off, I did that to mine with the abs

[@Zazquatch1]

I am a complete nubie when it come to cars. I am looking in to a change of a U-joint I guess. It has to do with getting the full front driving part to work, to get the full 4WD working. Am I right so far? It is on a Jeep Cherokee XJ-94.

[@ricardoavila294]

You make it look so easy ...

[@germaned.lealnino631]

Very good video. I sued the video to do my own repair. Cheers

[@bleepinjeep]

watch my balljoint videos, and have the right tools before you start

[@ceemihail]

Hi, thanks for the video, very helpful. I'm replacing the U Joint on the rear Driveshaft of my pathfinder because it's worn out (that's what Nissan told me), it squeaks and I get a vibration when I drive on the highway. Would it be wise to replace the front one on the Driveshaft also? Thanks for your help.

[@submarineaz]

Is that a 5" or 6" vise and what would be the smallest size that would work? I'm thinking of mounting a vise on my front bumper as it would be useful for this and when I get the PremierPower welder.

[@spaight711]

Thanks Matt!

[@TheAzsurvivor]

Driving straight? Turning? Are you locked in the rear? Its going to fall to an issue in your diff or drive shaft - depends on when its happening and what you have installed.

[@stackingstones7173]

love this channel!! thank you so much for posting these xj vids... Education keeps the legend alive!!!

[@rickyeager354]

great video

[@YoMoma777]

You say you have shown how to change the u joint with a press (dont have access) and a hammer, besides the vise video here. Havent seen your video using a hammer yet, but using a vise looks easy enuf. Is this the easiest way for you to do? Between the 2? Nice informative video by the way. You make it look easy.

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks, glad to hear it!

[@ZackFletcher1]

If your careful a cutoff wheel on a grinder makes getting the old one out a lot easier

[@bleepinjeep]

thanks for watching, tell yur friends!

[@PhillyDee215]

Cool video 😎

[@lyonrivera5375]

What u joint did you use? Just having a little trouble finding the right one that fits. I have a 94 xj without the abs

[@CampTlangram]

Hello, can we replaced CV joint by U joint.

[@Thesaltiestofsandys]

yea couldnt find my press so we tried this on my buddies rig... caps were so bound in that i managed to bend the stub end of the axle by hitting it so hard..

[@nickovsov2547]

Отличная работа, я менял даже не откручивая ступицы с полуоси.

[@lugisland]

Thanks Matt

[@bleepinjeep]

well i thought i had it under strap to u-bolt conversion but I guess not.

[@bleepinjeep]

I think I have a video on that somewhere... let me look

[@cnguyen616]

Great job man. Thank you !

[@ChristianCooper-soundwave]

my front passenger side u joint on my xj shows signs of is being bad, it started to click while turning and is loose when you wiggle the drive shafts with your hand. but oddly enough all noise and vibration stopped after a day or two. im still going to replace but what could cause that?

[@dannyjimenezk]

after watching your video I realized I need to change my u-joints. But its impossible to find out what series I need. I have an NP242 and a rear 8.25. Do I need a 1310 series u joint or a 1330. Most websites offer u-joints for dana 30s-35 and 44 but nothing on 8.25? Can you help me with this?!? would really appreciate thanks.

[@georgewastaken]

How do I make sure I pick the right u-joint when buying one? I have an 01 xj and I need to change the joints on the d30. Any part # or preferred manufacturer? Thanks in advance.

[@bleepinjeep]

The part store will ask you the year and make of your vehicle. I prefer spicer which you'll have to get online.

[@thakiid1013]

ball joint press...done

[@jerrywhalen2100]

The whole assembly looked a little stiff are you sure you didn't lose a needle bearing

[@richardtheone]

so ... if you cant get the c clips in what do you do to spread the yoke apart again?

[@57rivera57]

Thanks helped alot

[@n8chavarria]

Good job brother! ! Keep it up

[@morganheberling]

man u make it look so ez! i guess should het my ass out there and git-r-done. what if you dont have a 33mm socket? what is that in standard? can you use standard?

[@mtcd08]

If a u joint is bad does it make a clicking sound when accelerating?

[@carslover3509]

so sweet work

[@bleepinjeep]

maybe a broken tooth on the ring gear? maybe a rear driveshaft u-joint going bad?

[@spike666spike666]

If my original u-joints have clips under the cap such as in this video, and my new spicer u-joints have a clip that goes above the caps. There should be a groove in the axle shaft if i pound the cap low enough correct?

[@bleepinjeep]

No, there are two style of joints... the outer clips are on the driveshafts... inner clips on axle shafts.

[@jasbirmongia]

Your video is great! 👏👏👏

[@arturoguerrero4514]

should you grease the bar before putting back or does it matter

[@bleepinjeep]

I have a video on that too!

[@GrimResistance]

What kind of grease should you use inside the ujoint cup?

[@EricTanner]

Bearing grease.

[@MothBird]

Doing the balljoints on my jeep this weekend. Any advise for 94 cherokee?

[@carlreeves9329]

Good instruction,tks

[@Denkha94]

Hi their. great video. I have a old Ford F100 truck, automatic trans. when I shift the gear to reverse. I hear banging sounds kind of like metal bang it does not shift smooth it happens only on reverse. and when I shift to drive it does not shift smooth as well. its got a kick to it. thank you.

[@Denkha94]

Hi, No it is not the transmission I hear the bang noise coming from the differential.

[@fallen6191q2w]

Denkha94 Would be either your drive shaft U joins almost falling off, ooooooor something worn down in the pumpkin, IE the differential, or maybe the axle gears.

[@Denkha94]

thank you.

[@fallen6191q2w]

Denkha94 Im not much of a ford guy, but I think the problem actually has something to do with this linkage that connects the carb to the trans, tells the trans when to shift down, and how hard to shift. It might be out of adjustment.

[@jamoliverj]

Did you worry about mixing grease types when you packed more grease into the caps?

[@bleepinjeep]

Nope, I don't worry about stuff like that. Heck, I may even mix oils if I'm feeling adventurous!

[@themisunderstoodgorilla7030]

great stuff cheers

[@rudigeyser3939]

Are all u joints on the xj the same spec? axle and prop shafts?

[@randyanderson501]

Instead of pounding the ring flat put a solid object where you would normally hit it with the hammer and hit that with the hammer.

[@FreAkLeFtY555]

What's a great U Joint .....Brand ????