ujoints wearing out fast
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
ujoints wearing out fast
I have the ujoint caps spinning in the driveshaft yoke based on the mark i put on the end of the cap. But on the pinion yoke, the caps are not spinning but the joint is wearing so that there is a gap/slop that you can rock the ujoint side to side between the caps. the joint was tight when i installed it. im getting the driveshaft yoke replaced to fix the spinning caps but how do i fix the other ?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: ON & AB, Canada
Not excatly sure what you are discribing.
You are talking about the u-joint athe the rear diff, right?
And both yokes holding it show wear, correct?
If so, replacing both is the only option.
The other question is why did they wear out? Have your shaft checked for straightness.
As far wear goes, kupiec20, your lift "may" have something to do with it. Were they good quality joints? I have had similar issues, and the shop used regular joints, and my offroad truck chewed them up in no time. Check the angle the joints run at, 7* is usually max, all joints on the same shaft should run at the same angle. does your axle wrap alot under load? This may cause negative angle on the rear joint and possibly make it bind up.
Buying heavy duty aftermarket joints usually pays off.
You are talking about the u-joint athe the rear diff, right?
And both yokes holding it show wear, correct?
If so, replacing both is the only option.
The other question is why did they wear out? Have your shaft checked for straightness.
As far wear goes, kupiec20, your lift "may" have something to do with it. Were they good quality joints? I have had similar issues, and the shop used regular joints, and my offroad truck chewed them up in no time. Check the angle the joints run at, 7* is usually max, all joints on the same shaft should run at the same angle. does your axle wrap alot under load? This may cause negative angle on the rear joint and possibly make it bind up.
Buying heavy duty aftermarket joints usually pays off.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
truck is stock at 195k
bad ujoint is at rear axle
when the ujoint is new, it fits perfectly in the pinion yoke but over time it wears so you can slide it from side to side between the caps. On the driveshaft, the caps spin but there is no amountable wear. The driveshaft has been balanced by a local reputable driveshaft shop.
bad ujoint is at rear axle
when the ujoint is new, it fits perfectly in the pinion yoke but over time it wears so you can slide it from side to side between the caps. On the driveshaft, the caps spin but there is no amountable wear. The driveshaft has been balanced by a local reputable driveshaft shop.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
When you install u-joints, do not grease or oil them!
You should also try pressing them in instead of beating them in, if your doing it that way. Pressing works the best.
I don't quite follow which yoke they are spinning out in, the u-bolt ones, or the complete ones where you must press them in?
Either way, clean them off really good from any oil and grease, and press in some good ones, like Spicers. I do not like sealed u-joints, that is your choice, I prefer to grease my stuff to keep it in top condition. The Sealed units seals go bad and then the u-joint goes bad without you noticing, cause you dont get under there once a month to check them.
The only other thing you can do, the cheep way, is to use bearing set on the u-joint caps. It's like loctite, but it works for the opposite force of loctite and will keep them from spinning if you use it right.
To remove the cups later on for replacement, you will have to use a heat gun to heat them up to break the bearing set.
I know your thinking, "but the bearing will create heat", yes it does, but it works, I duno. haha. I think the friction of a roller setup isn't enough heat to cause it to break free.
You should also try pressing them in instead of beating them in, if your doing it that way. Pressing works the best.
I don't quite follow which yoke they are spinning out in, the u-bolt ones, or the complete ones where you must press them in?
Either way, clean them off really good from any oil and grease, and press in some good ones, like Spicers. I do not like sealed u-joints, that is your choice, I prefer to grease my stuff to keep it in top condition. The Sealed units seals go bad and then the u-joint goes bad without you noticing, cause you dont get under there once a month to check them.
The only other thing you can do, the cheep way, is to use bearing set on the u-joint caps. It's like loctite, but it works for the opposite force of loctite and will keep them from spinning if you use it right.
To remove the cups later on for replacement, you will have to use a heat gun to heat them up to break the bearing set.
I know your thinking, "but the bearing will create heat", yes it does, but it works, I duno. haha. I think the friction of a roller setup isn't enough heat to cause it to break free.
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Posting Guru
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
guys your looking at the wrong problem. I can get the ujoint spinning cap problem fixed by getting the driveshaft cut and have a new yoke welded on.
Im questioning the problem with the ujoint wearing on the rear axle pinion yoke side. the caps are solidly inplace on the pinion yoke(has bolt on straps) but the main cross of the joint will move side to side inline with the caps on the pinion yoke. The joint was tight when i installed it. The shaft has been balanced also.
any guesses?
Im questioning the problem with the ujoint wearing on the rear axle pinion yoke side. the caps are solidly inplace on the pinion yoke(has bolt on straps) but the main cross of the joint will move side to side inline with the caps on the pinion yoke. The joint was tight when i installed it. The shaft has been balanced also.
any guesses?
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
I called the shop that did my balancing, they said to bring in the shaft and the pinion yoke. What i dont get is that a new ujoint fits perfectly inside the pinion yoke but over time the center cross can move side to side between two caps.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
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From: MICHIGAN
I agree with waljon on the cap rotation is most likely caused be worn out straps. If you are handy with a hammer and vise they can be reformed to hold them again....new caps and bolts are available at most auto part stores.
PRECISION Part # 33110
There should be almost no side to side movement...could be the wrong u-joint was installed. Collapse the u-joint with a clamp/vise and measure the length from cap to cap. Then measure the distance between the tabs on the yoke.....should be .003 to .010. Any thing more the u-joint will slide back and forth wearing into the straps.
NOTE: Be sure to use a clamp or vice that will push all the air/grease out of the ends of the caps when measuring the length of the u-joint. IMO: The trapped air/grease is probably why the joint feels OK when first installed then gets sloppy.
PRECISION Part # 33110
There should be almost no side to side movement...could be the wrong u-joint was installed. Collapse the u-joint with a clamp/vise and measure the length from cap to cap. Then measure the distance between the tabs on the yoke.....should be .003 to .010. Any thing more the u-joint will slide back and forth wearing into the straps.
NOTE: Be sure to use a clamp or vice that will push all the air/grease out of the ends of the caps when measuring the length of the u-joint. IMO: The trapped air/grease is probably why the joint feels OK when first installed then gets sloppy.
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Posting Guru
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
guys, the caps in the pinion yoke DO NOT SPIN (i have all the caps marked), but between these two caps the cross slides side to side. This has happened to two ujoints already, different brands also. The spinning caps are IN THE DRIVESHAFT but there is NO WEAR between these two caps. But i will have the driveshaft place cut the yoke off and weld a new one on, I want to fix the ujoint problem before i kill another one.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
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From: Nebraska
I've seen this and know exactly what you're talking about. Had it happen in an 88 1/2 ton Chevy (no problems with the driveshaft caps though). Replaced u joint, yoke, and straps...so far it's working.
Where I work there's a 96 F-250 gas doing the side to side movement at the pinion yoke also. I've just been keeping a close eye on it as it never sees the highway. It'll probably need a yoke, u joint, and straps also.
Where I work there's a 96 F-250 gas doing the side to side movement at the pinion yoke also. I've just been keeping a close eye on it as it never sees the highway. It'll probably need a yoke, u joint, and straps also.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
"There should be no side to side movement"......you have the wrong u-joint or some one has replaced the yoke and did not change the driveshaft....there are two style yokes....one is wider than the other. Measure between the tabs on the yoke.