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73 Midget UJ question

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Lewpok

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I am finally getting to removing the shaft to replace the rear UJ and I cannot tell if there is a front UJ access panel. I remember what a pain it is to line up the gearbox splines with the shaft from replacing the clutch. There is a small pocket about the right size to fit a screwdriver in, but this does not cause any movement. Is there a way to get to the front UJ flange?
 
No there is not.

To reinstall wrap the front u joint and shaft with masking tape to hold it straight and poke it in from the back. Sometimes it is easy sometimes takes a few trys.
 
Make sure you drain the transmission before removing the shaft, otherwise you will have a HUGE long lasting mess. You might also wrap the u-joint and shaft in lightweight cardboard for extra stability.
 
No access panel. Gotta pull the shaft to gain access to the front. I suggest while it's out to go ahead and replace both u-joints. It wouldn't surprise me if you haven't replaced the front before it'll fail sometime soon.

If you've got access to a press it'll make getting the u-joints out and back in a lot easier. I'd also suggest when ready to reinstall getting some blue painter's masking tape to wrap around the front u-joint. It'll make it a lot easier to fit back in the rear. Don't use electrical tape like I did. It flopped around inside the transmission tunnel for a week sounding like a poker card in bicycle wheel spokes. I finally had to grab hold of it and pull it off in bits and pieces.
 
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