Squeaking Noise Ranger

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May 8, 2005 | 09:42 AM

#16

IB Tim

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From: 3rd Rock

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May 8, 2005 | 10:22 AM

#17

rebturtle

Mountain Pass

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 249

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From: Santee, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilly54

Is there anything else I can check in relative time, as I really don't have a place to live if I need serious mechanic work done. Or does the u-joint take a long time to replace? I do not have a garage so I can really only check stuff out in the parking lot of the college. Thanks for any information.

An easy way to check the U-joints is to crawl under the truck and grab the driveshaft. Twist it back and forth and try to shake it side to side at the joints. You should be able to feel any slack in the joints. The driveshaft may have about 1/8 turn of play in it. This is okay. The slack you're looking for is in the U-joints themselves, so try to isolate that if you can.

U-Joints run about $20 a piece for good ones, but if you've never changed them before and don't have the tools/garage, I would suggest having it done at a shop. If you take your 4x4 out to play, it wouldn't hurt to ask if you can watch them. U-joints are a common trail-fix item for almost all trucks/SUVs due to high loads in low gears and physical damage, and it could come in handy knowing how to replace them. You might just have to help fix a Chevy one day!!