2005 Rubicon; A Rubi Brother

Oh yeah, I also took advantage of HF power tool sale on the Hercules stuff and spoiled myself a couple weeks back. Apparently, this brand was designed to hold up with big brands like Milwaukee and Makita, and the ratings seem to back it up. I got four tools and six batteries for $500, and if this is considered industrial grade, it’ll last me plenty long for just around the house.
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You can also see a cool little jump pack in the first photo. It’s has an air compressor, power supply for electronics, and a work light built in. I think it’ll be a great little tool to bring around on the trails.
 
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May have gotten a little over zealous with the ugga bugga gun and ball joint press 😎
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I thought “no problem, I have anothe…..hmm that’s interesting, this box has tape on it. Oh look at that! The u joint is not the same as the part number!”
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On to other things I guess. New u joints won’t be ready till Friday.
 
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Jamison C said:
Oh yeah, I also took advantage of HF power tool sale on the Hercules stuff and spoiled myself a couple weeks back. Apparently, this brand was designed to hold up with big brands like Milwaukee and Makita, and the ratings seem to back it up. I got four tools and six batteries for $500, and if this is considered industrial grade, it’ll last me plenty long for just around the house.
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You can also see a cool little jump pack in the first photo. It’s has an air compressor, power supply for electronics, and a work light built in. I think it’ll be a great little tool to bring around on the trails.
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I need to get some battery gear too but keep putting it off.
 
Jamison C said:
May have gotten a little over zealous with the ugga bugga gun and ball joint press 😎
View attachment 494242

I thought “no problem, I have anothe…..hmm that’s interesting, this box has tape on it. Oh look at that! The u joint is not the same as the part number!”
View attachment 494243

On to other things I guess. New u joints won’t be ready till Friday.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing to an axle joint with an Oreilly's BJ press... I was lucky that I bought two joints when I only needed one. Made me miss having a nice vice at the old shop.

Don't sweat it man, you'll be up and running in no time.
 
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Jamison C said:
May have gotten a little over zealous with the ugga bugga gun and ball joint press 😎
View attachment 494242

I thought “no problem, I have anothe…..hmm that’s interesting, this box has tape on it. Oh look at that! The u joint is not the same as the part number!”
View attachment 494243

On to other things I guess. New u joints won’t be ready till Friday.
Click to expand...

I tried the press method but prefer using hammers.
 
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Mike_H said:
hammers work well for the replacement joints, but those damn joints with the plastic injected ring can be a super bitch to get out.
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I’ve replaced joints with hammers and sockets in the past but it wasn’t as controlled as I’d prefer.

That said, I didn’t damage a joint that way so I’d probably try it again if I don’t have access to a nice press or vice (which was satisfyingly smooth in my experience).
 
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Woodrow said:
Interesting. I haven’t done a whole lot of U-joints but when I did the rear driveshaft on my Dodge 3500 recently, I used my HF 20T shop press and it seemed so smooth and controlled. First time I’ve done it that way.
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It’s easy to mess up the ears if something gets stuck in the press where the hammer seems to constantly shock them to the path of least resistance.

I’m pretty sure I broke a cap in my press also.
 
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MikeE024 said:
I’ve replaced joints with hammers and sockets in the past but it wasn’t as controlled as I’d prefer.

That said, I didn’t damage a joint that way so I’d probably try it again if I don’t have access to a nice press or vice (which was satisfyingly smooth in my experience).
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I've never blown a cap out, but I have bent yoke ears with a press...Then again, I've done it with hammer and sockets too. Living in the rust belt, they can get pretty seized in there. Once they are freed up, using inertia and a hammer works really well, and pretty much prevents any damage to the joint or the yoke ears...but you have to get them apart the first time.
 
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Mike_H said:
I've never blown a cap out, but I have bent yoke ears with a press...Then again, I've done it with hammer and sockets too. Living in the rust belt, they can get pretty seized in there. Once they are freed up, using inertia and a hammer works really well, and pretty much prevents any damage to the joint or the yoke ears...but you have to get them apart the first time.
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I bent an A-Arm using a hydraulic press at the base's hobby shop back in the day pressing out ball joints. It was my first major F up doing my own work.

I found the vice method to have better control and tactile feedback using an oversized socket on one end and a proper size socket on the other. However, I haven't used this method yet for the Jeep, and it's pretty clear that the hammer method has worked well for folks who know more than I do. I'll probably use that method moving forward. Thanks :)
 
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I worked in a machine shop in the 70's and probably did 20+ u-joints a week. I drive the caps outward with a hammer, then press the new caps back in against the joint with a bench vise until the clips are in place, last tap the yoke with a hammer to shock the caps back against the clips to relieve any possible bind. Worked then and I still use the same process today. Not saying the press does not work, I even own one, I have just never found them necessary to do u-joints.

Edit....
I just read @mrblaine instructions in this link.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/replacing-u-joints-do-you-prefer-a-hammer-or-a-press.14974/
Do that..!!

Very similar to what I do but explained much more thoroughly and of coarse the detailed facts to back up his statement.
 
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Lots of good info getting tossed around! I have two new u joints coming tomorrow from O’Reillys. I will double check to make sure these are the correct ones.

I also mocked up the engine skid last night. Definitely an easy install but unfortunately I’m missing a couple of the bolts that secure it to the TC skid. I don’t even want to try and fight with Savvy over it so I’m just going to order the correct ones from McMaster and be done with it. I have some other fasteners I’ve been meaning to purchase anyways.
 
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I was doing so well today. I thought I was done and (luckily) found that one of the ears on the centering yoke broke off 🥲
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Unless I am mistaken, I cannot and should not use the driveshaft in this condition.

No 4x4 for me this weekend. Unless one of my AZ peeps has an extra??
 
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