GKN ujoints external clip problem with installation

[Kubaat3lover]

GKN ujoints with external clips, when pushed ring clip on one side locks nicely but cannot put the clip into full groove position, don’t know why?? Any ideas? It’s almost in the grove but not fully, ujoints are freely moving and lookin good .

 

[Scott06]

Groove is not clean from debris and also sometimes the clip can be filed to be a little bit thinner and fit in sometimes I found the clip to be a little bit too thick

 

[Kubaat3lover]

I was thinking to use thinner clip, but why? Same ujoint size so should fit.. maybe bent yoke? I’m afraid of that

 

[achris]

That happens (and what you have is internal clips, not external)... It's caused by you pressing the cups in. That pushes the yoke 'arms' in towards each other ever so slightly. Enough for the clips not to go in the groove. All I do is put one clip in and use a sliding 'F' clamp and a sockets to hold the cups under compression and pushing in towards the side with the clip in, then gently tap the yoke arms with a hammer. That's enough to release the 'spring' they have and the clip will fit perfectly.

Chris.........

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Thats what I did using this press and bigger socket on the other side (like in your great video)

1. Pressed one cup slightly deeper to have space for the groove, put the clip into the groove nicely.
2. rotated the yoke 180*
3. then pressing another cup and tryin to fit the clip - No luck... its almost there, missing maybe 0.01mm or something
I was wondering about sanding the Clip a little
now its 1.50mm tickness same as the old one so no idea why its not fitting

I have found also instruction sheet from OEM Mercs and Ive followed almost the same steps.

 

[achris]

...3. then pressing another cup and trying to fit the clip - No luck... its almost there, missing maybe 0.01mm or something...

And in pressing the second cup in, you pull the yoke arms in ever so slightly.... Like I said, keep the pressure on and give the arms a tap with a hammer, it'll relieve the pressure on them, and give you the thou you're looking for.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Ok so for now ive whole yoke assembly installed, what should i do know?
Dissasembly and pushed out the cups/bearing? Im afraid of damaging them
I cant visualise that procedure

And in pressing the second cup in, you pull the yoke arms in ever so slightly.... Like I said, keep the pressure on and give the arms a tap with a hammer, it'll relieve the pressure on them, and give you the thou you're looking for.

Do You mean to put socket ino the cap, not on the yoke while pushing the 2nd cap?? On the other side?

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Like You said the yoke arms is pulled, how to reverse it now to the previous position?.. does it mean something wrong ? The Ujoints moves freerly up and down

 

[achris]

So, you want to press ONE of the cups into the cross, with the other side of the yoke bearing the load. That will pressure the first cup, the cross and the second cup together as tightly (but not TOO tight) as possible. Then tap the yoke. It'll move out a tiny bit, pop the clip in. Easy peasy.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Wow thanks for the pic,, I really apprecciate that.
On the right side we have secured clip - Understood,
on the left while pressing in the cup, tapping the yoke OUTSIDE direction ? Am I correct?
Doesnt it damage the yoke?? or rubber hammer??
thanks again!

 

[achris]

Wow thanks for the pic,, I really apprecciate that.
On the right side we have secured clip - Understood,
on the left while pressing in the cup, tapping the yoke OUTSIDE direction ? Am I correct?

Yes.

Doesnt it damage the yoke?? or rubber hammer??
thanks again!

It doesn't take a 200lb gorilla wielding a 20lb sledge hammer! Just a normal ballpeen like you just starting a nail in wood... A couple of small raps.

Chris....

 

[Kubaat3lover]

I will give it a try! if not, maybe thinner clip, what do You think? now its 1.5mm, i have 1.2-1.4mms

Im afraid I could bend the yoke just a little little when pushin in the caps...

 

[achris]

You did bend the yoke, but you're still in the elastic zone, so it'll bend back. Every single one I do, I have the same 'problem', so I set it up when I press on the second cap and just give it a quick tap with the hammer and the clip pops straight in.

If you use a thinner clip, when the yoke de-stresses that caps will float in the yoke and it'll lose central alignment and it'll vibrate like hell.

Don't worry about the yoke, if you over bend it, it's cast, and will break...

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Achris, i Did as You said. It’s in groove I think but one clip is fully extend d the second does not
What to do?

 

[Kubaat3lover]

After 2 hrs I gave up no idea what’s going on but I cannot put the clips,I’m frustrated
I have used bigger socket On the yoke and the smaller socket on the cap. Both clips are in and Fclamp onto it.
then tight it by hand and hammered out the yoke via the extension and nothing....
The only solution for me right now is thinner clips or.. I don’t know really

 

[GA_Boater]

How are you installing the bearing caps? I've had a roller fall out of place and cause the same problem.

Have you tried fitting the clips without the caps in place? Make sure they fit before thinking of making them thinner.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

I’ve got issue on both ujoints, 8 caps.
i have removed caps, put the cross inside the yoke, pushed cap from the outside, clip inserted, turned 180*, then cap from the outside and press in....

 

[Kubaat3lover]

help me...
After 4 hours I’ve somehow put 2 clips into the groove but... the Ujoint/yoke is so tight,it is wiggling very hard with the force, why? I was tappin with the rubber hammer but no response... here’s the video

 

[achris]

Stop using a rubber hammer, use steel. You'll not hurt anything. New joints SHOULD be a little stiff.

Now that you have the clips in, give the unis and yokes a hit on the sides, to 'settle' them. Job done, put it back on the boat.

Chris......

 

[Kubaat3lover]

But they are very stiff as you can see on the video, when grabbing up it’s stiff like a stick...
I have hit the yoke both sides with the hammer, rubber and the steel one and nothing.. I’m afraid of bending the yoke
its almost 1am here... plan for the tomorrow : to remove the clips, put the socket on both caps, F clamp it and hammer Yoke like you said to relase the cups maybe ?
What do you think, maybe the cups are hammered to much and that’s why it’s so stiff?
thank you again I owe you one!

Edit
When „straightening” the yoke, socket should be on both caps, or on one cap and the bigger socket on the yoke? If You know What i mean

Thanks!