Old Vinta Windsurf with bum U-Joint...

Question
QUESTION: Hey!

I got a free 80's Vinta sail and board this summer. I've learned a lot this year- but in the process a friend of mine broke the old u-joint on the board. Basically, I'm wondering if this http://www.windance.com/default.asp?windance~shownewitem_big~CH_120 will work for a replacement...

I've got pictures of my broken UJ to help- although I'm not seeing a means of attaching right now?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

ANSWER: Hey Jake,

If it is just the rubber hourglass part that is broken on your set up, then yes, it should work. The threaded insert on universal joints has always been the same size. You should be able to remove the bolts/studs from your old piece and put them on a new universal.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Windlover,

Thank you so much for getting back to me- and so quickly!

I set up a photobucket acct. Here's a link so you can see my broken U-Joint. (try either)

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/beckman_jake/
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/beckman_jake/universaljoint.jpg

I'm wondering if the breaking point itself is within the rubber hourglass or if I've got bigger problems on my hands? I will have to figure out how to remove the bolt/stud that clicks into the board (probably with a little force).. but i still need to remove the remainder of the black material you see still attached to the mast. Any wisdom on how that might happen?

Thanks again, I'm ordering that replacement hourglass- hope it works!

Answer
Hey Jake,

Looking at your pics it seems like you will be able to use an aftermarket u-joint. A couple of concerns I can see are removal of the old parts. Looking first at the top part that attaches to the mast base (grey part). First, spray every connection area with some type of good penetrating fluid. Spray the connection areas and let set overnight. If you don't have any penetrating fluid, brake fluid can be used but I would recommend a good penetrating fluid. Fairly inexpensive at any auto parts store. Ask the counter folks what is the best they would recommend.

For the top part, look down into the base for a nut. It will probably will be a nylon lock nut. Very likely that it is a metric nut, probably a 12mm. Spray penetrant down on this nut before trying to loosen. you should be able to get a grip on the metal disc and a socket on the nut to remove the nut. This should remove your mast base from the old part.

If it looks like the stud is threaded directly into the mast base, try this method. Get a good rubber strap wrench (fairly cheap at a auto parts store) for the plastic part and either some vise grips or channel locks on the other part. You should be able to get a decent grip on the metal disc part. Remove all the old rubber if you have to. The threads should be standard so lefty loosy, righty tighty. There is a good chance that you will have to replace the stud part of the top piece. It looks like your stud is permanantly attached to the metal disc. The new hourglass will have a female threaded insert that will accept a threaded stud. If you need a new stud, look where you bought the u-joint. They should offer studs. If not, go here;
www.oceanairsports.com under parts for u-joint studs.

Now the bottom one may be a bit more trouble. If you have a vise, then clamp the bottom part into the vise using some old rubber or dense cardboard between the vise and the part. You want to avoid causing any damage to this part. The bottom of your old hourglass will have another metal disc molded in like the top part. This disc should have the female threaded part attached to it. The bottom part sticking out should thread into the bottom of the hourglass. Hopefully this is how yours is built. Grip the hourglass at the metal disc area with channel locks or vise grips. It should twist off. (looking at your pic again, you may want to take a small file, pick, or sandpaper and remove as much of the old rust where the shaft meets the disc. It also looks like the end was designed for a screwdriver. You could try a screwdriver but try not to damage anything. Be sure to use penetrating fluid at the shaft to disc connection.)

If all goes well, your should be able to thread your old bottom part into the bottom of the new u-joint, thread a new stud into the top part of the u-joint, and bold your mast base onto the u-joint with a new nut. You should be able to get a new nut at the same place you get a new stud.

When you are reassembling all of these parts, use BLUE locktight for security reasons. Blue allows you to remove a part but will hold as long as needed.

Do NOT use RED locktight as it is almost permanant and you will probably cause damage to parts if you try to remove them after useing RED.

Hopefully this will get you back on the water.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover