Axle u-joint removal

[pismorat]

What are some tricks to getting the u-joint out of a Dana 60 axle? I removed the clips...I have a 5 ton press that wouldn't do it, I soaked it in penetrant and tapped it with a hammer under load. Nothing seems to work. Should I heat the yoke to try and expand it?

 

[Disciples Performance]

do not heat the shaft since it is temperd cast steel it will weaken the shaft its self just keep soaking it in penetrant. Also just take a pick and clean out all the nooks that rust and dirt sit in then soak again prob have to do that for 2 days or so then it should be fine but ur press should do it ??? thats very strange are you sure you got all of the peices of c-clips on the u-joint?? i just usually smash with a hammer and a vice and has worked everytime for me haha

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Stock shafts are not heat treated at the yoke, the yoke won't fit into their heat treating equipment (which is part of the reason so many of us stretch the ears on stock yokes). Heat can still hurt the metal (if you get it really hot) but there is no heat treatment to speak of on stock D60 shaft yokes.

Be careful using a press or hammer, if you don't put something in between the ears of the yoke you are liable to bend it.

 

[miniwally]

I have had good luck holding the shaft in one hand and smacking the living s$!t out of the u-joint caps with a Big hammer.

I wouldn't worry about hurting them with a hammer. Hit the damn things with your purse.