Try this, next time you do u-joints, use a socket and put the driveshaft in a vice. You take less chance of damaging them when done this way, Take your c-clips out of the groove, fit the socket to the hole the bearing cup fits and use the socket to drive the joint out, Having a press would make this easier but a vice works well. Also, the side you're hammering against would need to be protected, a block of wood will work. Installing the new joint, Get that block of wood, tap the bearing cups lightly, do it wrong and you'll knock the needle bearings loose and have to do it all over. You'll know if it's wrong, the joint will be hard to move by hand.. And yes, a c-clamp will still work if you want to skip some of that, you only have to get the bearing cups in so the clips will go in. By the way, I've turned NAPA u-joints to powder within 3 months and I know I did it right. Replaced with Spicer like I wanted in the first place... NO PROBLEM.
I have a '74 D100 with a 318. I've rebuilt the truck twice now..cab, bed, fenders, Frame and running gear are original though along with the hood. Total mileage on it.. No exact figure but it's up around 300k. Never replaced axle bearings in the rear...absolute joy to drive.
"Kirk A Wolff" wrote in news:FV3wc.12325$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net: