This is my first posting. Hope this is the correct forum, if not, if someone would direct me accordingly, it would be appreciated.
Vehicle: '81 Chevy G10 1/2 ton van 6cyl.
I will need to replace the u joints. In chasing down parts I find myself confused with some manufacturers references to outside or inside lock rings, while some manufacturers do not specify in the description of the part.
I have never changed a u joint, so I am not sure how to determine if my vehicle has the inside or outside rings without taking the drive line out.
I want to order the parts on line to save money, so I want to get the correct ones and not have to pay shipping costs to return and exchange them.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and or help.

Skysarge

 

You dont have to take it out. Crawl under there and look.

Inside locking rings require a similar style of pliers to push the ends together to remove them from the housing.
Outside locking rings care removed with either needle nose pliers or a strong but thin screwdriver to remove them from the housing.

Inside rings look like a capital C. Outside rings look like a capital G. It really doesnt matter what you use, technology has improved since 1980. Plus you can add whatever rings you want to in the end.

 

Hi Skysarge,

Welcome to the Chevy Forums.

In any event, if you're not sure of the exact part # you need, you'd probably

be better off taking the U-joints to a parts store for a side-by-side

comparison with the new ones, before buying.

 

yea but if he could get them out then he would know what type of locking rings he has.

 

Ah well, was sort of hoping Chevy made a certain u joint for certain models for certain years. Pipe dream, I guess.
Many thanks to you folks for the expeditious reply.
Skysarge

 

yea they do, any good parts store should hand you the correct part when you give them the make and model and engine/trans combo try a diefent parts store, napa is good

 

If you see what looks like little pins sticking out the sides of the drive shaft boss, these are held in with a plastic like material and use no clips. The replacement will have clips tho.