Axle Shaft U-Joint Lifespan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 336
Likes: 173
From: Canadian living in southern France
Axle Shaft U-Joint Lifespan
My '76 has 128,000 miles on it and I'm trying to make sure the axle shaft u-joints are ok. There's no play, (trying to move the joints by hand), no rust or grease coming out of the caps, no clunks, and I just finished torquing the u-bolts to the right tension.
One joint must have been replaced at some time because it's the only one of the four with a grease fitting. I greased it and no problem there.
The other joints look like they've never been touched, so I have to wonder, how long can these things last?
The car was owned most of it's life by a lady real estate agent, and it's only an L-48 with an automatic, so they've never had a lot of strain put on them. As far as I can see, when the car is just sitting at normal ride height, the axle shafts look like they're almost perfectly horizontal, so maybe these joints have never had to do much.
Is it possible for these joints to last this long, and still keep going?
One joint must have been replaced at some time because it's the only one of the four with a grease fitting. I greased it and no problem there.
The other joints look like they've never been touched, so I have to wonder, how long can these things last?
The car was owned most of it's life by a lady real estate agent, and it's only an L-48 with an automatic, so they've never had a lot of strain put on them. As far as I can see, when the car is just sitting at normal ride height, the axle shafts look like they're almost perfectly horizontal, so maybe these joints have never had to do much.
Is it possible for these joints to last this long, and still keep going?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1,635
From: Fairfax Virginia
It never hurts to have a spare set on hand. I have a spare set of half shafts for each of my two Corvettes and I have new joints for each one as well as a set for the drive shaft. Most Corvettes the greasable U-Joints work just fine. Just be sure to buy a quality brand name set when you do buy them. Harbor freight makes a nice tool that allows you to install them without a hydraulic press.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,413
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From: mount holly NC
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It keeps the half shaft from bending while you replace the u-joint.
It keeps the half shaft from bending while you replace the u-joint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,378
Likes: 1,797
From: Apple Valley, MN
128k is a lot of miles on the if they are indeed original, save the one. Do you plan on taking the car on long drives? Like most everything in life, it’s all about risk management. If you are mostly tooling around locally, then you wouldn’t be too inconvenienced if something started to go south. However, if you find yourself 1000 miles away and one fails, that’s a problem.
Preventive maintenance is a good thing. Order up a set of Spicer non-greaseables and never worry about them again for as long as you own the car.
Preventive maintenance is a good thing. Order up a set of Spicer non-greaseables and never worry about them again for as long as you own the car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 336
Likes: 173
From: Canadian living in southern France
Ok, thanks.
Since I live in France, I order parts in bunches, and in my last order I got all four axle joints and one driveshaft joint, (one was obviously almost new).
I guess I've got a rainy day job coming up.
Since I live in France, I order parts in bunches, and in my last order I got all four axle joints and one driveshaft joint, (one was obviously almost new).
I guess I've got a rainy day job coming up.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,378
Likes: 1,797
From: Apple Valley, MN
It’s not a particularly difficult job but like many, there are a few tips and tricks.
The tool mentioned above keeps the outer flange (not the halfshaft) from bending while removing/installing the u joints. You can fab one locally from a steel plate.
The clips holding the joint cups need to lie flat against the cup. The new joints will contain various thickness clips so pay careful attention. You may need to reduce the thickness of the thinnest clip in order to achieve the correct fit. Do not attempt to hammer or press the cups down to get the clips to fit. Take your time. Carefully and thoroughly clean the grooves before assembly, removing any and all contaminates.
The tool mentioned above keeps the outer flange (not the halfshaft) from bending while removing/installing the u joints. You can fab one locally from a steel plate.
The clips holding the joint cups need to lie flat against the cup. The new joints will contain various thickness clips so pay careful attention. You may need to reduce the thickness of the thinnest clip in order to achieve the correct fit. Do not attempt to hammer or press the cups down to get the clips to fit. Take your time. Carefully and thoroughly clean the grooves before assembly, removing any and all contaminates.