Whenever I have put drive shafts together I have had the same type of problem. The pins in the Ujoint cups kind of collapse when I squeeze them together in the vice and prevents the cups from going all the way on. Then I can’t put the clip on (of course) and I wind up pounding out the Ujoint, taking it apart, and fixing the pins to start the whole process over again.
I do try to be careful, using plenty of grease and the proper size socket when squeezing, but the same problem may often recure.
Any ideas on how to make working on a drive shaft and Ujoint a little more productive? I’ll soon put one together for an OD conversion.
Thanks.