Question about u-joint on driveline?
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Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Question about u-joint on driveline?
I put new u-joints on my driveline and half-shafts. The half shafts are fine, but the driveline don't seem to be fine. They went in pretty easy, but they are hard to move around by hand. You can move them but it takes a little more effort than it does for the half-shafts. They just seem a little tight to me. Is this something that needs broke in or is something else wrong? Help would be appreciated. This is the only thing that is standing in my way of putting my body back on.
Race Director
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
Mine were pretty tight after the install. I removed my drive shaft for other reasons after about 1000 miles. They loosened up a little so I don't think you should have a problem.
Melting Slicks
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From: far, far away
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
I'm assuming the driveline (propeller shaft) is still out of the car.
My first check would be to make sure the caps are fully seated outwards against their clips. A firm tap with a hammer against a wood block, on the exposed cross shafts, both up and down, should be enough to make those caps move as far as they will move.
If that doesn't change anything, then I think I'd have to pull them out and take a look. I just did mine a few months ago, and I clearly recall that all six U-joints moved easily with just the obvious amount of drag from the fresh grease.
I would think that if a roller had gotten loose and was pinched between the cap and the cross end, you would not have been able to seat the clip, but I might be wrong about that. I can't think of anything else that would cause it to bind.
Good luck! :seeya
My first check would be to make sure the caps are fully seated outwards against their clips. A firm tap with a hammer against a wood block, on the exposed cross shafts, both up and down, should be enough to make those caps move as far as they will move.
If that doesn't change anything, then I think I'd have to pull them out and take a look. I just did mine a few months ago, and I clearly recall that all six U-joints moved easily with just the obvious amount of drag from the fresh grease.
I would think that if a roller had gotten loose and was pinched between the cap and the cross end, you would not have been able to seat the clip, but I might be wrong about that. I can't think of anything else that would cause it to bind.
Good luck! :seeya
Pro
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From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Gator81)
I also recently replaced all of my u joints and I also noticed that the ones on the driveshaft seemed to be harder to move than the ones on the halfshafts. I dont know if thats normal or not. :confused:
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Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Jester69Stingray)
Thanks for the replies. It's weird because they actually went in easier than the half shafts. I don't think that one of the roller bearings have fell because they seated all the way up and the clips are also seated good. I will see if I can tap them against a wood block to see if the end caps seat against the snap rings, but it looks like they already are. Hopefully they will be like Gordonm's and break in with driving.
Instructor
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From: Houston Texas
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
Same problem on my '81. I thought that it would wear in, but the new joint started making noise immediately so I removed it and exchanged it for a new one, assuming a manufacturing defect. Newer joint did same thing, so I took it apart and ground (yes, on my bench grinder) a hair off both ends of the joint under the caps on the portion that fit too tight. Loosened up like it's supposed to fit; after 10K miles or so, no problems.
Pro
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From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
Thanks for the replies. It's weird because they actually went in easier than the half shafts. I don't think that one of the roller bearings have fell because they seated all the way up and the clips are also seated good.
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Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Jester69Stingray)
I've done three of mine and have helped four other people do their's. I've learned one thing myself.....If it does'nt swivel easy and smooth like butter-there is a problem. Now, this may not matter much on the driveshaft u-joints being that the trans and differential are pretty much "fixed" in a straight line and there is'nt much angle or deflection, but your halfshafts better swivel smooth and free. I've seen a few people who put these in on the tight side only for them to click and make noise and end up redoing them!!! To me "Tight is Binding!!!!!" Period. Yes, others have stated "no problems when tight", but when that "tight" creates heat from friction(AND IT WILL), it will over time melt the grease out when you're not thinking about it ruining the joint. With four sharks and a combined mileage of 370,000miles between the four of them, trust me "TIGHT IS BINDING".
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Thread Starter
Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Paul Borowski)
After I get off work this afternoon I am going to take the u-joint back off and see if I can see a problem. I tapped it against a wood block to see if it would seat against the snap ring better, but I think it was already seated as much as it is going to. I will let you guys know what I find if anything.
Melting Slicks
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From: far, far away
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
Just one last thought, Steve. If the groove that the snap ring (clip) sits in has any old goop in it at all, the clip may not move as far out as it should. In mine, that groove is quite a bit bigger than the ring, so there's a lot of room for dirt and grease to get in the groove and goop it up. Hope you are able to find peace of mind with it soon!
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Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Gator81)
Thanks Gator81, this evening when I take the u-joints back out I will check the snap ring groove. There is a slight posibility that I may have bent the outer edge a little bit. That might not let the snap ring seat all the way out.
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Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
I was about to suggest what Gator81 did last night and "clicked" to finish my post. Yes, that groove for the snap ring or "G" clip, if it's not real clean, it can cause a problem. Also, here is another problem I don't think has been mentioned. I taken several "original" ones of these apart and too have noticed that alot of these replacement u-joints come with slightly to a good bit "thicker" "G" clips than the originals. These "few thousandths" can be enough to make the joint "tight". This may be "bubba-izing", but I will admit I've CAREFULLY have taken down the edge of these "replacement" "G" clips on a bench grinder to get the joint to fit without tightness. I will NOT install a driveshaft or halfshaft unless it "swivels" like a smooth precision part with no tightness or binding. As others have stated, and I stated this earlier, some may not have any trouble with their's tight, but most of my cars I'll drive 1500mi to an NCRS Regional say in DesMoines,IA or Montreal, Canada, or Stone Mountain, GA. Tight or binding joints will not go that distance without getting hot from the friction making that grease drip or fling out of the joint like 10weight oil when it gets hot.
Drifting
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From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
Paul' slast post if very true. These things should pivot free and without any bind. A bind by hand will equate to real friction going down the road. Here's any idea. Take the shaft to a local driveline shop that does this for a living and ask them to feel it. Compare it to others they have installed. That should make you feel comfortable or confirm there is a problem.
Melting Slicks
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From: Carmichael CA
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
I rebuilt mine. I took the Ujoints apart and cleaned them up, then packed them with grease. I've done several Ujoints and these were the hardest to install...they fit in there very tight. I don't think there's any problem with that. Have you ever tried turning a fresh crank by hand after getting it installed in a block? It's HARD to turn but it has to be tight due to the stresses on in. The same for the Ujoints. I actually think it's a concern if they are loose. When I pull off a driveline I check the Ujoints...if they just flail around with no effort then I take them apart and it's always been due to a lack of grease. When I get them cleaned up and packed with grease then they tighten up like they are supposed to be.
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From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
I just got back to working on mine. I started a week or so ago and had them done except for some paint touch up. Well the last one I did I was too happy with because it seemed tigher then when I finished them? I noticed it was tight in the flange joints and suspected a bent flange. i bolted it back up to the mounting fixture and as soon as I tighened the 4 bolts ti was nice and smooth again. Turns out the flange is bad, the 3rd one in this project. They were all used and had been beated up pretty good from the previous mechanics. I doubt that a fixture was used on them in the past. I even have one I bought used from a vette supplier that's bent :smash: I have one left if that doesn't work I have to figure a way to bend them back a little :confused:
Gary
Gary
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Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Rockn-Roll)
Rockn-Roll,
So you think that I might be alright with the tightness? Last night I took the U-joint back off the driveline and inspected everything. I found nothing. I cleaned and scraped the snap ring groove, but it was already clean. I reinstalled the u-joint and it was still a little tight. When I say tight I don't mean you have to get bubba's hammer to move it, I mean that it is a little stiff. I have done everything that I know except replace both the u-joints because both of them are about the same stiffness.
So you think that I might be alright with the tightness? Last night I took the U-joint back off the driveline and inspected everything. I found nothing. I cleaned and scraped the snap ring groove, but it was already clean. I reinstalled the u-joint and it was still a little tight. When I say tight I don't mean you have to get bubba's hammer to move it, I mean that it is a little stiff. I have done everything that I know except replace both the u-joints because both of them are about the same stiffness.
Le Mans Master
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
I have done quite a few over the years and they all seem a little snug at first. It's kind of a feel thing as to what is ok and what is binding or to tight. They will not just flop but you should be abe to move them with you hand and they should feel smooth throughout the full range of travel. They MUST go the full range. If you have grease zerks, check that they are not hitting at the extreme. :cool:
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Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (silvervetteman)
Yes they do travel the full range and are smooth just a little snug. I think I'll be alright. I don't feel any binding or grabbing.
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Drifting
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Question about u-joint on driveline? (Steve Adkins)
Problem solved! :cheers: I compared the original clips with the new one's and like Paul said in one of the above posts they are a good bit thicker. I ground them down to the thickness of the prior ones and after I put them back in I tapped both ends on a wooden block and presto nice and smooth. They don't flop around or anything like that, but they move freely like the halfshafs.
Thanks guys for all your input and experiences.
Thanks guys for all your input and experiences.