Mikes270dart
Well-Known Member
How do you replace the boot on a Ball and Trunnion driveshaft. I have a NOS mopar boot. how much of the driveshaft do i have to dissassemble?
What is the easy way to convert it to modern u-joint?
No, you have to stuff the new boot inside and work it through without poking a hole in it! I you plan on reusing the clamps, carefully remove them. Cut the old boot off. Remove the end plate. Push the coupler housing in until you can remove the rollers. You might want to do that over a nice clean work bench so you don't lose any of the bearings or end caps. Once those parts are removed, you can start pushing the new boot through the housing. Make sure you get it going the right direction as you don't want to have to do it all over again if you get it in backwards! I don't envy you a bit!so let me get this straight, the rubber boot has to go over that big chunk of iron that covers the cross or am i missing something
Unless you need the car to stay stock for some reason, the way Darter6 did it is the way to go. By the time you buy all the factory crap and go through the pain of installing it, you'd be much better off in the end by doing the conversion. Those boots only last a few years and then you'll have to do it again!Here is a photo of my 64 conversion.
They(Adams Driveshaft,Las Vegas) use parts from a 4x4 front driveshaft and made a complete new driveshaft or may use yours over if you choose. So far I have had 4 of them done this way on different cars with no problem.Just a thought.
This might help in rebuilding a Ball and trunnion, it makes getting the boot off look a lot easier when it's completly disasembled.
I have successfully squeezed them in and around with the cross pin still in place. It takes a lot of time and you have to be very careful to not puncture the boot but it can be done. (Bystanders should wear earplugs if they are offended by foul language) I have since purchased a press and follow Inertia's suggestions.
Actually, getting the pin back in and centered is the hard part. The slightest bit off center and the driveshaft will vibrate. Same goes for those VW axle boots. With a seam on just one side, it can cause a vibration too.Nice diagram. But you still have to press out the center pin which is the hard part.
You do not have to take the pin out at all unless it or the balls are worn. The factory service manual shows how to do it. If I had to rebuild the ball and trunion, I would do the u-joint conversion, but if it is just the boot, it is not that difficult.Actually, getting the pin back in and centered is the hard part. The slightest bit off center and the driveshaft will vibrate. Same goes for those VW axle boots. With a seam on just one side, it can cause a vibration too.