Broke strap and two bolts

[kizer]

I've been dreading the day and it finally happened. I broke one strap and two heads. Luckily I was driving slow and then I heard a bang. Pulled over to the side because I was in a parking lot just after taking my boy to a movie.  Just crawled under and my driveshaft into my rear yoke was dangling. I guess it's time to sharpen up my drilling and easy out skills. Sucks having to tinker with your daily driver.

[RioGrande95]

Might be a good time to upgrade to u-bolts.  I thought you had a VW commuter car or something?

[Rock Toy]

I think you can drill your yolks out to 5/16ths and install u bolts. Not 100% sure but it would be worth checking out.

[RioGrande95]

Yeah, I switched to U-bolts when I did my SYE, but for the life of me, I can't remember if I had to do any drilling or not   

[Rock Toy]

I got a deal on the stuff for my axles that included u bolt type yolks for the Cherokee, but many years ago I drilled some yolks and used u bolts but I just can't remember much about it now.

[kizer]

You can go with U-bolts, but I don't really want to pull my yoke and have to deal with the crush sleeve and pinion depth. VW, welp I got rid of that rig a couple of years ago. LOL I was driving my XJ last year, but then the Neutral Safety switch gave me issues and I've yet to drop the transmission so I can access the innards that still sit on the Transmission because when I pulled the switch it ripped apart.

[RioGrande95]

Hmmm, I know for a fact that I didn't replace my yoke when I upgraded to u-bolts.  Though it does look like I had to do some drilling:

http://www.neow.net/yj_ujoint.html

http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/aub.html

[kizer]

Thanks for the Links Rio. I'm so annoyed I'm not sure what I'm going to do just yet. LOL

[RioGrande95]

Yeah, not trying to push you one way or another.  Just wanted to make sure you knew all your options.

[TwiztedAgony]

U-bolts FTW!!

EDIT: I am pushing you this way .. straps suck so bad!!!

[kizer]

I'm guessing more than likely I'll end up with U-bolts, but first I need to get off of front wheel drive only. LOL
S2J has some spare U-joints and the Ez Outs I need to use.

Just been busy. Man 2 kids and a wife is killing me lately.

[kizer]

Bought Ez Outs and straps today. I just need to get my Jeep on the road and then I'll focus on getting that stupid XJ back on the road. After the XJ is up and running I think I'll work on U-bolt kits all around.

[kizer]

Running with the rear shaft again. Yahooooooo.........

Sad thing is I can't believe nobody in my area carries Spicer U-Joints anymore. Whats up with that? I had to purchase a Precision U-Joint just so I can be on the lookout for a Spicer. Just freaking Bizarre.

I guess that's what I get for looking last minute huh?

[kizer]

What I learned from the experience. The bolts are so small on the Yoke that using a small drill and an ez out is nearly impossible. I ended up spraying the bolts with PB Blaster and I'm guessing smacking them with the center punch to drill loosened up any crud that was in the threads.

I followed up by using a narrow tipped regular screw driver and basically grabbed any edge or angle on the surface and slowly was able to get the two broken studs to twist out. HUGE relief since I broke my only bit that was small enough to fit the ez out in.

[RioGrande95]

Yeah, I wasn't able to find spicer parts either when I re-built my drive shaft a few years back.  If it makes you feel any better, I've been running the precision joints for a few years now without any issues.