U-Joint Destruction

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Nov 18, 2002 | 11:51 PM

The Tree

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From: Saint Charles, MO USA an

U-Joint Destruction

I need help. I have a 78 Bronco with a 351M, 4" Lift, and 35's.
I also go through rear u-joints like nobody's business. My longest u-joint has lasted two weeks, I get them from the local autozone. If someone knows how to fix or at least help then please do so.

Nov 19, 2002 | 12:47 AM

christop43

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U-Joint Destruction

Your lift probaly caused the driveshaft angles to be too extreme. I know that there are kits out there to lower the tranny to put these angles close to factory specs.

Nov 19, 2002 | 12:52 AM

greystreak92

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From: Gateway to the West

U-Joint Destruction

you may be able to correct driveline angles with angle blocks but don't attempt you make your own! When I lifted my 92 I had to reused factory angle blocks to maintain correct angles. Check with the lift kit manufacturer as to whether there are recommendationsabout driveline angles associated with the lift you have. they may be able to provide the necessary components to solve your problems.

Nov 19, 2002 | 10:57 AM

bronco cam

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U-Joint Destruction

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Nov-02 AT 11:58 AM (EST)]A 4 inch lift should not cause this problem. I would get your driveline checked it might be out of balance or need to be rebuilt. Also is it just one u joint that keeps going out? If it is the rear u joint then check your other u joints on the driveline if one of those is froze up it can cause your rear u joint to go bad.

Nov 19, 2002 | 01:15 PM

hillbillyk

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From: Elkton, MD

U-Joint Destruction

might also try better u-joints, I got them from western auto, and they cost more, but are built alot better, the ones I got from autozone did not even fit right.

Nov 19, 2002 | 05:11 PM

Mudinyureyes

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From: Beaverton, Oregon

U-Joint Destruction

This might help,
I own a 78 Ford Bronco with 4 inches of lift, 37 inch tires. I have a 429 SCJ engine running 4:11 gears with a locker in the rear and tru-trac in the front.
I was going through u-joints like once a month in the rear end. One, I stopped buying discount auto store u-joints and went with Spicer u-joints. This seemd to help out quite a bit. I have broken my driveline a couple of times, no doubt due to the horsepower I am puting out. If its the rear u-joint that connects to your rear end, check your yoke. If you can put a new u-joint in the yoke and spin the caps that are set on pplace you need a new yoke. They get tires and worn out especailly with rigs that are old like ours. I am assuming thats the one that keeps going out.
If its in the upper end in your CV area, it would result from the same problem. I have snapped that cv thing twice and the other just gave out. i was informed that the rear end yoke can be a culrite to these problems nd not the lift. Hope this helps out some.
~Jason

Nov 19, 2002 | 07:20 PM

magna19

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From: pa

U-Joint Destruction

i had a 78 shortbed f-150 w/4" and 33's and had basically the same problem.i had the box off and watched the rear rotate when i let off the clutch,and figured that put extra strain on the ujoint.i put spicier joints in and added solid traction bars,the type that mount on top of the axle to the ubolts,and mounts to the front spring hangers with a solid bar.i got them through jc whitney catalog.it took care of the ujoint problem.