FABO certainly is pretty unfriendly to people interested in restoration details. Sometime even just discussing how things were originally done.
Treed!
Today I went to install the U-joints and not only are the cross-shafts longer than the Spicer 1310 that came out, the yoke ears are sprung inward, one pretty visibly.
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Parts store shop guy was actually pretty helpful. He thought heat was the only way it could be fixed without cracking. Of course someone at a sister shop hasn't returned his O-A set so he couldn't do it.
Now that may not seem helpful but knoweldge is - and my regualr mechanic may be able to do it or send me to someone.
The real insight was how he avoids this situtation. instead of using a press or clamp he puts the shaft in a vise and punch through the end cap and jeeps punching until the opposite end cap has moved. Then goes the other way.
My thinking is the books assume the joints will get regreased. But lets be real. Not likely when they are to the point they need replacing. Better off destroying the caps then getting in this bind. Counter guy told me this is the only place he's seen it done this way but makes sense to him too.