u joints
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u joints
I have a 2000 f-250 power stroke with 228,000 miles and I have never changed out the U joints. How do you know when the u joints go out or are going out?
The problems that I am having started about 3 months ago. I noticed that while sitting at a light in drive and my foot on the brake I would take off and for a split second there would be no movement then the truck would drive normal. I took the truck into a local diesel performance shop called Diesel Innovations and they suggested that it wasn't my transmission but they thought it could be my u joints. While I was there I purchased their 6 position chip and shortly after the truck started shifting irregular, meaning it was not sure when exactly to shift, and it sometimes shifted harder than other times.
Please give me your opinion before I take it back to shop. Do you think its my transmission? the chip? or the u joints?
The transmission was rebuild three years ago.
The problems that I am having started about 3 months ago. I noticed that while sitting at a light in drive and my foot on the brake I would take off and for a split second there would be no movement then the truck would drive normal. I took the truck into a local diesel performance shop called Diesel Innovations and they suggested that it wasn't my transmission but they thought it could be my u joints. While I was there I purchased their 6 position chip and shortly after the truck started shifting irregular, meaning it was not sure when exactly to shift, and it sometimes shifted harder than other times.
Please give me your opinion before I take it back to shop. Do you think its my transmission? the chip? or the u joints?
The transmission was rebuild three years ago.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
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From: wildwood, mo.
I have a 2000 f-250 power stroke with 228,000 miles and I have never changed out the U joints. How do you know when the u joints go out or are going out?
The problems that I am having started about 3 months ago. I noticed that while sitting at a light in drive and my foot on the brake I would take off and for a split second there would be no movement then the truck would drive normal. I took the truck into a local diesel performance shop called Diesel Innovations and they suggested that it wasn't my transmission but they thought it could be my u joints. While I was there I purchased their 6 position chip and shortly after the truck started shifting irregular, meaning it was not sure when exactly to shift, and it sometimes shifted harder than other times.
Please give me your opinion before I take it back to shop. Do you think its my transmission? the chip? or the u joints?
The transmission was rebuild three years ago.
The problems that I am having started about 3 months ago. I noticed that while sitting at a light in drive and my foot on the brake I would take off and for a split second there would be no movement then the truck would drive normal. I took the truck into a local diesel performance shop called Diesel Innovations and they suggested that it wasn't my transmission but they thought it could be my u joints. While I was there I purchased their 6 position chip and shortly after the truck started shifting irregular, meaning it was not sure when exactly to shift, and it sometimes shifted harder than other times.
Please give me your opinion before I take it back to shop. Do you think its my transmission? the chip? or the u joints?
The transmission was rebuild three years ago.
U joints usually start squeaking when they go out.
That being said I believe your shift problem is from the switch. Is it a shift on the fly switch? Can you change power setting while the engine is running? If so, this will cause problems with the transition.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
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From: NH
I don't think your u-joints are the issue either but with an automatic and shifting into gear (park-to-drive or park-to reverse) you may feel a clunking with a bad u-joint or even a clunking when starting from a dead stop or even during heavy braking. A bad u-joint may also exhibit a vibration under load and may go away during coast.
Grabbing the driveshaft with both hands with the tranny in neutral (truck not running, wheels blocked and e-brake on) shake it. Turn the shaft and shake at different positions. It should be solid with little to no play.
I can only assume the chip may not have setup your shift points properly or has compounded an existing problem. Your transmission should respond imediately with the pedal. By your comment it seemed the shop never looked at your tranny. Find another reputable shop. Have you had a fluid change or have checked the level in the tranny? lately
Grabbing the driveshaft with both hands with the tranny in neutral (truck not running, wheels blocked and e-brake on) shake it. Turn the shaft and shake at different positions. It should be solid with little to no play.
I can only assume the chip may not have setup your shift points properly or has compounded an existing problem. Your transmission should respond imediately with the pedal. By your comment it seemed the shop never looked at your tranny. Find another reputable shop. Have you had a fluid change or have checked the level in the tranny? lately
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Normally a worn u-joint will clunk when you're on and off the gas, but they can also chirp like a bird when they dry out without clunking because they haven't gotten to that stage yet. If it chirps and clunks there is no need to even look under the vehicle, just get out your little wrenches and your wallet.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 392
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From: Listowel, Ont.
Daves got it....you will hear a clunk, or it might squeak. I'm sure it's got to do with the tranny
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From: Stephensville WI
U-joints do not slip. They either work or your drive shaft is laying in the road. There is nothing in between.
I would take your truck to an independent transmission shop (not a national chain, please) and have the transmission looked over. It might be something very simple and inexpensive at this point.
I would take your truck to an independent transmission shop (not a national chain, please) and have the transmission looked over. It might be something very simple and inexpensive at this point.
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U joints
Well, see the thing is, it does not slip any more when I take off. For some reson that symptom has gone away. I'm worried about the way it has been shifting. I dont know why it shifts good sometimes and then other times it doesnt know when to shift or shifts tooo freaking hard.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
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From: NH
With the chip, shift points may vary depending on how hard you are on and off the accelerator.
U-joints can exhibit squeaks, chirps, ticking etc.. Some people never recognize these noises as a problem until the vibration starts or they loose their shaft. You can also drop the shaft with no warning.
U-joints can exhibit squeaks, chirps, ticking etc.. Some people never recognize these noises as a problem until the vibration starts or they loose their shaft. You can also drop the shaft with no warning.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Well, see the thing is, it does not slip any more when I take off. For some reson that symptom has gone away. I'm worried about the way it has been shifting. I dont know why it shifts good sometimes and then other times it doesnt know when to shift or shifts tooo freaking hard.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
With the chip, shift points may vary depending on how hard you are on and off the accelerator.
U-joints can exhibit squeaks, chirps, ticking etc.. Some people never recognize these noises as a problem until the vibration starts or they loose their shaft. You can also drop the shaft with no warning.
U-joints can exhibit squeaks, chirps, ticking etc.. Some people never recognize these noises as a problem until the vibration starts or they loose their shaft. You can also drop the shaft with no warning.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
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From: NH
unless you deliver a shocking blow to it like revving up and popping the clutch
Also a good way to weed out the weak links. This also occurs with ones who up their HP numbers and don't pay any attention to the other items.
Being in drag racing im sure you have seen a few shafts (or u-joint pieces) left on the track.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
I had Fairlane GT with a 390 and 4 speed that was all jacked up, 4.56 LS rear end, and big cheater slicks that I used to drag race at Fremont drag strip in Ca............lots of fun.
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