U-joint Questions

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Mar 23, 2005 | 02:09 PM

TSBRONCO

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Joined: Mar 2005

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U-joint Questions

Hello I just bought my first truck this past friday its a 96 bronco with the 5.8l Only down fall is it has 141000 miles on her. It may not be that big of deal you guys tell me. Any way the reason for this post is because there is a whine in the rear end only make that howling/whining when im on the gas. When i take my foot off the gas and let i coast its quit as can be. Oh and i heard changing the u-joints on the front axle is a big Pain in the butt???

thanks ahead of time.
Tom

Mar 23, 2005 | 02:18 PM

poffutt

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Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 656

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From: Houston

Don't know about the sound, but the fact that it stops when you let off the gas definitly points to the drive shaft, for it slows down and speeds up with acceleration and deceleration. Greas them if you can, If you can't take them to a shop like Minakie they will inspect them for free.

Mar 23, 2005 | 02:24 PM

greystreak92

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9,182

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From: Gateway to the West

You can check the rear driveshaft U-joints. The double-cardon U-joint at the front of the rear shaft is notorious for going south and causing unwanted driveline geometry changes that can casue the symptoms you are describing. Other things to consider should the U-joints check out ok are the rear yoke-to-pinion nut (it works loose sometimes), axle/wheel bearings, and gearing backlash.

The front axle U-joints are just a very time-consuming project because so much of the front end has to come apart to get at them. Front wheels, calipers, rotors, spindles all have to come off before the axles will slip through the steering knuckles.