When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1979, recently I put new bushing in the rear end all the way around. I keep having this problem where the passenger u joint half shaft knuckle/Flange to the wheel keeps failing. The u joint clip and cap come out somehow. I haven’t driven at all because everytime I do, I make it around the block and I hear the u joint fly out. I bought a new knuckle because my old one was worn down from the u joint flying out previously and I had it bolted to a plate when installing so it wouldn’t get bent. I’m on the 3rd u joint now and I don’t know what to do. Any advice greatly appreciated TIA
are you sure the spring clip is tight in the seat? Make sure very clean and it is pressed in.
did you use a backer plate as well to not bend flange.
also make sure french locks are in place.
If the joint clip comes out than it wasn’t seated in the groove.
That can be from a bent flange or the wrong size clip. Spicer has 3 sizes in the box and only one will work
Make sure that both ends of the clip are flat against the cup of the joint. As pointed out, spicer provides 3 different clips in varying thicknesses for this purpose. I have had to on some occasions remove a small (~0.001”) amount of material from the thinnest clip to get it to sit flat against the cup.
Also make sure that you are not forcing the cup inward while seating the clip. If you have to force it, you need to identify (and correct) the reason.
I was having a problem in the rear with my half shafts a while back, a different problem, but the same parts.
I couldn't identify the problem, and friends of mine, also mechanics by trade couldn't see the problem. New U joints didn't solve the problem.
SO, I took the half shafts and the flanges to a shaft shop and asked to have them balanced .
Long story short. They found the problem in less than 10 minutes. As soon as they spun them.
So, my advice, take that half shaft and that flange to a proper drive shaft shop. Have them replace that joint and ask them to balance the shaft. If anything is twisted. They'll find it.
U joints popping out
