95 Front Universal - Another test drive question
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
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From: Chicagoland
95 Front Universal - Another test drive question
I'm still shopping around for a summer road trip machine. I found a sharp 95 XL that I am seriously considering. The one thing that will need attention immediately is that there is a clunk & bind in the front end when making a hard left turn. It doesn't make any complaint at all unless the steering wheel is within 30* of lock. The owner said a mechanic friend thought it was the universal, which was my guess as well.
My question is whether the diagnosis sounds most likely and also what the cost would be. I am long on courage, but short on means. Is this something I could hope to tackle in my gravel driveway with hand tools?
My question is whether the diagnosis sounds most likely and also what the cost would be. I am long on courage, but short on means. Is this something I could hope to tackle in my gravel driveway with hand tools?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
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I had a u joint go bad on my front driveshaft. The driveshaft is pretty easy to get out of the vehicle but unless you have a press you will have to take it somewhere to get the u-joints pressed in. I had two new U joints put on and had the driveshaft straightend b/c they told me it was bent. It cost me a little over $100 bucks but it drives pretty smooth now.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
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From: Corinth, TX
does this clunk and bind happen under all conditions? Meaning, can you verify that the wheels are unlocked when the noise happens? If the wheels are locked, this might make sense, even though it should be most of the time, not just when the wheel is turned that far. If they are unlocked (and the t-case is in 2WD), this shouldn't have anything to do with the front u-joint since the front driveshaft isn't moving.
Assuming that the truck *is* in 4WD, I'd recommend putting it up on jackstands and turning the wheel by hand to try and locate the problem. u-joints are cheap and easy to replace... the thing making this noise might not be.
Assuming that the truck *is* in 4WD, I'd recommend putting it up on jackstands and turning the wheel by hand to try and locate the problem. u-joints are cheap and easy to replace... the thing making this noise might not be.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Chicagoland
Originally Posted by djjoshuad
does this clunk and bind happen under all conditions? Meaning, can you verify that the wheels are unlocked when the noise happens? If the wheels are locked, this might make sense, even though it should be most of the time, not just when the wheel is turned that far. If they are unlocked (and the t-case is in 2WD), this shouldn't have anything to do with the front u-joint since the front driveshaft isn't moving.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1
From: Corinth, TX
yeah, like wileec said, it might be a hub problem that caused the u-joint to go bad. If you can get the truck up on stands and try to rotate the front wheels by hand, you'll see if the hubs are locked and you'll get a good idea of what is causing the noise.
honestly, if the hubs have been locked in long enough to make the u-joint go bad... there may be tranny case problems and other problems that might scare you away from this purchase. Or they might just get you a good discount
honestly, if the hubs have been locked in long enough to make the u-joint go bad... there may be tranny case problems and other problems that might scare you away from this purchase. Or they might just get you a good discount
