My method to keep the needle bearings in place is to
use a very heavy wheel bearing grease liberally on the
bearings and pack them into the cups prior to inserting
them into the yoke.
Next, insert one cup into the yoke and stick your
finger through the hole and into the cup to physically
hold the needles into place.
Tap the cup into place and then replace your finger
with the spider. Drive the cup into the flange past
the level where it will finally come to rest. This
will allow the spider to be positioned well out the
other side of the yoke.
Install the other cup using the spider to hold the
needles into place and drive the cup, spider and
opposite cup as an assembly into place. (You can
install the clip on the first cup to use it as a stop
to know when it is in its proper position).
When the thing is finally positioned, you can replace
the final clip and it's done. (except for the other two
ends of the spider which can be done the same way)
Regards,
Joe
Patrick Barber wrote:
> Scott,
> I too have begun the intense job of replacing my U-joints in my 70
> Spitfire. I have always heard that this was a tough job and now I know
> why. I too ran into the problem you described. The problem I had was a
> needle bearing which "tipped over" and prevented the 2nd cup from being
> seating properly. trashed the needle bearing, cup and hence the entire
> replacement U-joint. this was the first of four u-joints so I was able
> to continue, albeit a little smarter.
>
> What I did to ensure that the cups seat properly is to take my time. My
> method was to lightly tap the first cup into place, install the spider,
> then lightly tap the second cap into place, sliding the spider over into
> the cap which I was tapping. One I was sure the cups were started
> properly, I installed the yoke in a vise and pressed the cups in. When
> the cups were flush with the yoke, I used a 7/16 nut to countersink the
> cap to the proper level. I then installed the clip and did the other
> cup. I repeated the process for the other 2 cups.
>
> Let us know how things work out.
>
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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