Gentlemen.
The links to the Ford repairs are interesting reading but of no relevence to a Sprinter because the ford has the grooves for snap rings left over from early models. The Sprinter does not have any grooves or room for them. The Sprinter uses a very high capacity bearing made using very thin metal known in the bearing trade as a Torinton bearing. They are hardened right through so to weld them would be very foolish. The yoke is 81 mm overall and the original joint is 75 mm overall leaving 2.5-3 mm per side for staking. After being unsuccesful in obtaining the original joints despite the promising link posted on this thread, I am looking at alternative units, one interesting posibility is a Toyota unit that is the same diameter but 81mm over all. If this was used it would bring the cups out flush with the outside of the yoke and remove the need to mill the yokes as mentioned in my earlier post. In trucks the cups are held by a piece of sheet metal with 2 screws in it, this method could be used here and once the screw threads were taped the joint would be servicable very easily, The evolution continues. Eric.
