Driveshaft Restoration

[1979 FJ40ish]

I want to paint the driveshafts for the 79 FJ40 I’m restoring. The task will be much easier if I can use carb or brake cleaner to remove the years of old grease and crud that has accumulated over the years especially around the u-joints.

I don’t plan to actually disassemble the u-joints.

Can I safely soak the u-joints is cleaner if I pump them full of fresh grease when I’m finished?

 

[Rock40]

Yes, you can do pretty much whatever you want as long as you pump plenty of grease through the joints and purge everything out. It's possible though, that the rubber seals on your OEM joints are shot at this point. That may be worth looking at.

 

[antFJ]

if the u-joints are tight and smooth I would clean/paint and run them. Get some rags and your favorite solvent and get scrubbing. For in the joint itself i use screwdrivers/pics to get the heavy stuff out and then brushes/rags to clean it up. I wouldn't go through the effort of soaking imo.

 

[Poser]

Find someone/someplace that has an old-school steamer.

You would be amazed at what 300+*F steam can clean.

 

[Tin basher]

Or a jet washer amazing how clean stuff comes out of it

 

[1979 FJ40ish]

I decided to forgo the soaking and attacked the first one with carb cleaner, steel-wool, wire brushes and a screwdriver when necessary. It looks pretty good after the first pass but I'll have another go at it again tomorrow.

Do I risk damaging anything in the the u-joints by pumping a lot of grease in them or will the excess just squeeze out?

 

[Dynosoar]

If you are pulling them out and cleaning them you might as well replace the u joints. They are probably original therefore nearly 40 years old. It is not that much work or hassle to change a u joint.

Dyno

 

[pb4ugo]

If there's no play in them and they move freely ,there's no need to replace them. With all the wheeling I've done since the mid 1980's and proper maintenance, I've never broken an fj40 U joint. Even my trail spare L/C U joints are used. Grease them till they ooze a little grease out if all the caps. You'll hear it.

 

[1979 FJ40ish]

There is a 124,000 miles on the cruiser. There is ZERO play in the U-joints.