Hey everyone, i have some vibration in the back of my s13 i pulled down the driveshaft and one of the u joints is sticking, do i have to replace the driveshaft or does the u joint come out ? please help thanks
take it to a drive line specialist. only they have the equipment to change them
so the u joint does come out of the drive shaft right ?
yes. they are serviceable. just not by any shops/anyone other then a drive shaft shop.
not true i replace them all the time in my garage well not s13 u joints but s14… so there might be some difference I’m not sure. all you need is a vice, hammer, sockets and screw drivers. just remove any retaining clips,place a socket on one of the u joint caps that is small enough to fit through the hole with the cap, place a socket bigger than the cap on the other side to allow for clearance and press it out using a vice. press out the other cap and remove the joint. If they wont budge try heating them or you may need to press them out.
before installing clean up the inside surfaces that the caps came out of and make sure that there is no rust or burrs for the new caps to get stuck on (use sand paper). now to install take the caps off the new ones put the joint in, then making sure that all the needle bearings are in place place the cap over the hole and press it in make sure it is far enough to get the retaining clip back in, do the same for the other side. if done correctly the u joint should move back and forth freely just remember to be careful when putting the second cap in not to go too far or you might crush the cap on the other side into the retaining clip.
Once again I may be wrong, that is the way how I do it for my car and your may differ. but its worth a try right?
im sure a s13 drive shaft can be had for cheap. probably cheaper then buying the part and waisting your time fixing it?
get a quote, and let us know what it is, i ended up getting a one piece, save myself the labour, repair parts, plus lighter… but only if u can do it cheaper, put the pros and cons on the table. Otherwise get a stock used one but meh you run the risk always of joints being worn, your call.
Chris is right. for sure you can get a used one WAY cheaper than repairing yours.
i can not remember s14 u-joints right now.
BS… Universals are a simple to change and do not require any special tools unless you think a set of snap ring pliers are special.
Universals start around $15/$20. So why anyone would get a used drive shaft with used universals is beyond me.
Thanks for the input guys, i’ll check with local trans shops to see what they’ll quote, i heard you have to do some custom work in order to have a one piece driveshaft for the s13 is that true?
Have you even done u-joints on an s13? you need to get “normal” u-joints out of your head my friend.
whatever. each to his own.
you got my/our advice. see what you can come up with. and please let us know.
Actually, I have… so I’m giving 1st hand information rather than hear say. Secondly, I’m aware they are a “staked” type joint which makes them a bit harder to replace than a simple one. But regardless their still replaceable, its just called effort and research 
But again… I’m probably the one person on SON who has actually restored every single part of his under carriage.
Yes, i am sure NO one else has restored their car’s under body.
I looked it up today, here is a proceedure with pictures. http://www.rockforddriveline.com/Staked_Instructions.htm
Seems pretty straight forward.
All I suggest is that you get the parts and make sure they are the correct size before you start.
to the extent jeff has
few and far between
find jedi’s suspension thread
i was being sarcastic…