I just got finished replacing the u-joints on my jimmy tonight...what a pain in the @?*
They were not original but they sure were rusted in there (what was left of them). I had to break out the "hot wrench", the BIG c-clamp, and the 2 pound "persuader".,but all in all it went ok ,just a little longer than I would have liked. It is nice not hearing the tell tale "clunk...sqeak" sounds out of them anymore.
Just thought I would share my thoughts ( for what it's worth):icon16:

I know from past experience that the U-Joints need to be heated up until the plastic shear pins that hold the cups in place ooze out.

When this is done properly the plastic when it gets heated up enough oozes out like a "white worm" from the tiny holes in the joint near the u-bolt holes.

I know if this is not done, getting the "X" cross out is next to impossible.

You are right about heating up ORIGINAL u-joints to remove the plastic, but, these were not original just VERY old and VERY rusted into the holes in the yokes.(they had grease fittings as well as replacement style retaining clips.)Besides the one was so badly rusted that there were no needle bearings left in the cap and I still had to beat the cap out of the hole in the yoke!
Aint salt great?:eek7: