U-joints

Just got back from the first ride in the 63b for the year. I had forgotten how nice it is to drive; we had been working on our recently restored Spitfire.

The new U-joints had delayed the first ride somewhat. The old ones were shot.

I had wanted to try out my new U-joint replacement tool anyway...

It worked great. It only took 8 hours to replace the joints.

From that you should assume the guys on this site know better. Driveline shops will replace the joints in two hours for less than $80 and balance the shaft as well.

Do not do your own. I have done this three times and will never do it again.

Larry

I've changed a load of U-joints in Detroit Iron in my time, but once was enough for an MGB.

Hah! Coincidentally, I've been changing over to the 5-speed kit from Rivergate for a couple of weeks now. Earlier many people on this site warned me against changing out the trans from underneath the car without removing the engine. Unable to find a hoist, I decided to try it anyway. There was lots good advice on various potential sticking points, but nobody mentioned changing out the u-joint (that I recall). Last Sunday I got to swapping the flange from the mgb shaft to the hybrid shaft provided by Rivergate...
After spending 1 week of evenings cussing, breaking 2 u-joints, and one hammer, I took the shaft to a shop near my job and spent $20 having them put in my last u-joint (had a couple spares, thankfully). Best $20 I've spent on my mgb since I bought it!
Swapping the trannys turned out to be easy compared to the crap that stupid little metal cross gave me.
take it easy
walter

You guys work too hard. A good vise ,2 old sockets the right size and I can change em out in about 5 mins per end once the drive shaft is out. I had a good teacher.
Bill

I'm with Bill on this one.

I too am doing a Rivergate conversion, but had no trouble getting the flange off of the old shaft and later putting it on the hybrid shaft.

I did press one cup in too far so the snap ring just spun in its groove but a little work with a hammer and punch moved it back out so the snap ring was tight.

Joe

I have replaced my joints twice in the past twenty years, and it was not a big deal. Just used a vice, sockets and my favorite hammer (like listed above). I do like the sound of taking it to a shop, and not getting dirty tho' :)

Hmm. Might be, since everyone keeps mentioning "vice" in their posts, that if I had a vice, it woulda been a snap. But I usually jump into things before I figure out if I have the right tool. It makes it more fun! WHEE!!
On the other hand, I felt like a He-Man when I crawled under the car, pulled that 280zx tranny over onto my chest, and bench-pressed it up into the car. With a little wiggling, it snapped right into place. I suppose the ordeal with the u-joint was the car gods' way of curing me of any cockiness I might have picked up along with the tranny.
walter

I have changed the U joints using a large vise and sockets. It is a bit of a pain. Much harder than any US car that I have done.
It is worth taking the assembled shaft to a specialty shop and having it balanced. Green B’s was out. The car now is smooth as silk. No vibrations at any speed.