When did your U Joints fail

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Jun 5, 2007 | 06:45 PM

shane7209

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When did your U Joints fail

I just purchased a 2003 F-150 a couple of days ago. This morning I notice a sound like the ujoints going bad. Mech I dropped it off said sounds like it also. I did not replace these on my 97 F-150 untill about 125K. Something I am missing here?

Thanks

Jun 5, 2007 | 08:19 PM

NASSTY

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From: ME

Mine failed at 80k miles on my 97 F150.Actually only the rear U-joint failed but I changed them both.

Jun 5, 2007 | 08:27 PM

shane7209

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thanks, this truck has 23K on it so a little lost.

Jun 5, 2007 | 09:12 PM

MBBFord

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From: Louisiana

Either it wasn't a good joint to start to, or the person that had it before dogged the he!l out of it.

Jun 5, 2007 | 10:16 PM

FX4dude

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From: Sand Dune, CA

50,000 miles

Jun 5, 2007 | 10:42 PM

Jager4x4

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I agree. There is a problem if your truck has a few miles on it. The U joints (rear) on my 97 F150 failed at about 115K.

Jun 5, 2007 | 11:15 PM

Ryan50hrl

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From: Neenah, Wisconsin

My 95 had 174000 when i replaced the joints....they weren't even bad but i upgraded due to my lift and the extra abuse i was about to put on them....i made it 9 miles before the defective new joint let go and busted clear across the center section....

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Jun 6, 2007 | 11:33 PM

cneagle87

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what are the warning signs of a u-joint going bad?

Jun 7, 2007 | 07:16 AM

#10

Johnny Langton

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From: SE Texas

Mine were replaced at 190K miles. The front was still "good",but I replaced both when the rear started "clicking" when driving under load.
JL

Jun 7, 2007 | 08:43 AM

#11

galaxie641

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From: SE Wyoming

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneagle87

what are the warning signs of a u-joint going bad?

Earliest signs will be a squeek only when in reverse or only at low forward speeds, when the joint falls apart there will be clicking and clunking.

I replaced mine around 150K.

Jun 7, 2007 | 05:19 PM

#12

Octane

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: Edgerton, WI

Sounds like maybe my u-joints are going bad too. I have a clicking/clacking noise under hard acceleration and sometimes it will shudder if you are going faster than 60 mph and take your foot off the gas. Ive suspected its the u-joints but wasnt sure, but from what you guys are saying Im thinking its the u-joints. The thing is, there isnt really any slop in the joints. However, if you shift the truck back and forth from drive to reverse you will hear that same click/clack noise, so maybe...
BTW, mine has 160,000 on it and Ive owned the truck since it had 68,500 miles on it and Ive never changed the joints.

Last edited by Octane; Jun 7, 2007 at 05:22 PM.