Why do I keep Blowing U Joints?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Why do I keep Blowing U Joints?
I have a 1980 L82 that I bought about 20 years ago. It has 122,000 miles on it, and I have blown 4 U joints, and I can tell that I am about to blow a 5th. There is a clicking noise at low speeds, particularly when turning right, but also when I drive straight from a stopped position. Every blown U Joint has been in the right wheel. Also the right wheel is towed in at the top. Somebody said that it might be a bad spring causing the tow in. Is the tow in related to blowing U joints? Why is this happening? I wish I could say that it was because of all of the power from the motor, but it's not. I have replaced the yokes on both sides, as well as the trailer arms and half shafts, but that has not solved the problem. Please advise. Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 107
I have not had this problem myself but if you are saying that your wheel is towed in or your camber is off I would imagine it would put unecessasry strain on the U-joint.
I would suggest getting a wheel alignment done and use a solid spicer U-joint unless that is what you are using. Fix what you know is wrong first (alignment) and then move forward from there.
Good luck
I would suggest getting a wheel alignment done and use a solid spicer U-joint unless that is what you are using. Fix what you know is wrong first (alignment) and then move forward from there.
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
The wheel shouldn't be "towed in" at the top;i.e. cambered in. You need to get this fixed. This is ordinarily a strut rod out of adjustment and perhaps a weak spring issue.
When you had the first u joint replaced the mechanic may have bent the u-joint flange if he didn't use the correct tool when pressing the old u joint out. This flange is the that attaches to two of the arms of the u joint spider. The other arms are pressed into the half-shaft (The flange has a splined hole in it to slide onto the trailing arm half axle) The bend may not be obvious. When a new u joint is installed in the flange, the u joint should be pretty easy to move by hand and not exhibit binding.
When you had the first u joint replaced the mechanic may have bent the u-joint flange if he didn't use the correct tool when pressing the old u joint out. This flange is the that attaches to two of the arms of the u joint spider. The other arms are pressed into the half-shaft (The flange has a splined hole in it to slide onto the trailing arm half axle) The bend may not be obvious. When a new u joint is installed in the flange, the u joint should be pretty easy to move by hand and not exhibit binding.
