[Mgs] Broken u-joint snap rings

[Bob Howard]

   The trouble with these 'lubed for life' fittings is that one never
knows whose life they are lubed for. 
   I would say that the right thing to do is to continue the struggle
with the snap rings and get the U-joint out for replacement. You are
replacing the rear anyway, and with two new ones in place you can have
peace of mind for another 75,000 miles or so.
   If you can get the U-joints that have greasers, pay close attention to
the orientation of them when you install (it's easy to get them wrong on
some cars, and wrong orientation makes fitting of the grease gun quite
difficult). 
   Sorry....I don't envy your task. 
Bob


 
On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:40:56 -0500 "Robert J. Guinness"
<guinness at stclegal.com> writes:
> I am in the process of replacing the prop shaft U-joints on my 1961 
> MGA 
> 1600.  It appears that the DPO broke the ears off of all four snap 
> rings.  I have tapped the bearing caps in a tad, and the rings 
> freely  rotate in the recess.  But I cannot get them to bend out to
grab 
> them.  
> I have tried a screwdriver and dental picks.  Are there any helpful 
> hints? 
> 
> It is the front joint and does not seem to have any free play, but 
> it is  a "sealed joint" (no zerk fitting) and the rear joint was
nackered 
> beyond belief (the vibration tipped me off).  I would like to 
> replace it  now while the shaft is out.  Is it better to leave it "as
is" given 
> the  difficulty in removing the broken snap rings?  Thanks
> -- 
> Robert Guinness
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