Half shaft U-Joint failure-repeatly
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Cabot AR
Half shaft U-Joint failure-repeatly
What would cause a left outboard u-joint to fail in less than 1000 miles. I've had 2 fail so far in that time.
Could a twisted trailing arm cause this?
Could a twisted trailing arm cause this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
When the 'U' joints on the half shafts were changed did they use this tool?
If this was not used at least the half shafts should be bolted together so the flange does not get bent.
If this was not used at least the half shafts should be bolted together so the flange does not get bent.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Sounds like you have a bent u-joint bracket, may be on the half shaft or the wheel. Also, be careful if you are lifting the rear of the car and spinning the wheels - too much of an angle for the joints.
Last edited by JimT; Mar 2, 2010 at 07:49 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
What happens is the u-joint cap holes are not perfectly aligned. This causes a binding on every rotation which eats up the needle bearings in the caps
Last edited by gkull; Mar 2, 2010 at 10:33 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
this time when you replace the ujoint, also replace the halfshaft to spindle outer flange.. it is probably bent.. if it is, then fix it right, get a new one.. be careful not to bend the new one!
it is 56$ at Zip..
it is 56$ at Zip..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Not to come across like a bubba or anything, but it's not hard at all to resquare the flanges. Just get a straightedge, carpenter's square, and a long socket wrench extension. Wrap a rag around one end of the extension, then use it to tweak those holes until they're both square with the flange and the straightedge sits flat across them.
(now everyone flame away at me
)
In the future, you can avoid bending the flanges when removing u-joints simply by cutting out the trunions. Once the trunions are out, an air chisel will pop out those caps like nothing.
(now everyone flame away at me
)In the future, you can avoid bending the flanges when removing u-joints simply by cutting out the trunions. Once the trunions are out, an air chisel will pop out those caps like nothing.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
When you reassemble the 1/2 shafts and U-Joints the simple test is:
Do they move in each joint direction with the same ease? If not you have bending induced binding. I have straightened them on a press.
You don't have to be 100% perfect. When you bolt the flanges on each end down it will tend to pull them straight if you are nearly perfect
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
What''s the pedigree of the u-joints? They could be Chinese junk.
I agree with the previous comments about a possibly warped flange.
I think the original u-joints were AC Delco. Obtain some made in the US from a vette vendor, call Van Steel, Muskegan Brake, Wilcox, etc. Tom's Differential is a source also.
The u-joints that DO NOT have a jerke lubrication fitting are stronger.
Also, in removing the previous j-joints, you may have warped the holes in the flange where the u-joint fits into. I'd think off axis binding will kill a u-joint quickly. Maybe time to start pricing new flanges.
I agree with the previous comments about a possibly warped flange.
I think the original u-joints were AC Delco. Obtain some made in the US from a vette vendor, call Van Steel, Muskegan Brake, Wilcox, etc. Tom's Differential is a source also.
The u-joints that DO NOT have a jerke lubrication fitting are stronger.
Also, in removing the previous j-joints, you may have warped the holes in the flange where the u-joint fits into. I'd think off axis binding will kill a u-joint quickly. Maybe time to start pricing new flanges.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Cabot AR
thanks for the answers
I installed the new u-joints with a press and they were not binding but I will check the ears when I replace them this time. Son took the car through a ditch backward a while ago so I was wondering if the ta might have been twisted a bit at the arm and the shaft do not align perfectly. I really do not want to have to replace the arm again,,,,wasn't fun the first time.
just a piece of advice,,,DO NOT share your toys with a teenager...they break them
I installed the new u-joints with a press and they were not binding but I will check the ears when I replace them this time. Son took the car through a ditch backward a while ago so I was wondering if the ta might have been twisted a bit at the arm and the shaft do not align perfectly. I really do not want to have to replace the arm again,,,,wasn't fun the first time.
just a piece of advice,,,DO NOT share your toys with a teenager...they break them
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
thanks for the answers
I installed the new u-joints with a press and they were not binding but I will check the ears when I replace them this time. Son took the car through a ditch backward a while ago so I was wondering if the ta might have been twisted a bit at the arm and the shaft do not align perfectly. I really do not want to have to replace the arm again,,,,wasn't fun the first time.
just a piece of advice,,,DO NOT share your toys with a teenager...they break them
I installed the new u-joints with a press and they were not binding but I will check the ears when I replace them this time. Son took the car through a ditch backward a while ago so I was wondering if the ta might have been twisted a bit at the arm and the shaft do not align perfectly. I really do not want to have to replace the arm again,,,,wasn't fun the first time.
just a piece of advice,,,DO NOT share your toys with a teenager...they break them
I had some very expensive nights in high school.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
I had this problem and tried everything I could think of. I finally figured if it was constantly breaking then something must be binding. Sure enough the rubber travel stop was broken on the side that kept giving out. When I hit the gears hard the back end would squat and the U-Joint would bind and break. I replaced the stop and now can burn out without guaranteed breakage.
