plasic injected u-joint replacement

[bluboti]

I'll be replacing 2 factory u-joints with the plastic retainers.Is the only way to take these apart to heat with a torch untill the plastic oozes out of the holes? Or can i just beat on them with a hammer untill the plasti shears and they come apart?

 

[heavy4x4]

You really need to heat out that plastic. You can use a small propane torch though...you don't need an acetylene torch to do it.
I'm pretty confident pounding won't bust them free - maybe a hydraulic press would, but melting out the plastic is so simple why bother.

 

[Twiz]

I've heard people pounding them out. But I wouldn't.

Heat 'em up.
Be carefull, they like to pop some.

 

[Corey 78K5]

Another vote for heat.

 

[dyeager535]

Yeah, hydraulic press will do it. Never tried heating them.

 

[bluboti]

Thanks guys.I think my next step will be to see if i can afford oxy/acteline or go cheap and get a propane/oxy or mapp/oxy rig, for future jobs around house or k5.

 

[heavy4x4]

Go to your local ACE hardware. $10 later, you'll have a small propane torch kit; complete with tank, torch nozzle, and trigger sparker. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif That'll do just fine purging out the plastic. Good thing to have around the house for the various plumbing fixes you'll need to make. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[sunshineoffroad]

Careful with the heat. When I did mine, one cap blew off and nailed me in the forhead. Not only did I havea nice circular redmark, my face got peppered with needle bearings, and hot grease. It sucked. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[heavy4x4]

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gifOh man, that must have sucked. Never heard of a whole cap popping off. I had to pound on mine a bit even after the plastic was purged out.
But yes, BE CAREFUL, the plastic does like to pop (like someone said earlier), so keep skin away, and wear some eye protection.

 

[m j]

plumber's torch is more then enough

 

[bluboti]

I think along with the heat needed to seperate the u-joint, i'm trying to do some small fabricating cutting/welding thats why im exploring the oxygen along with the propane or mapp gas.