U-joints?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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U-joints?
My car makes a kinda creaking noise whenever I shift from drive to reverse (it's an automatic), and it creaks when I take off. Im guessing this is the u-joints, from what a mechanic told me. He told me that my u-joints had lost their lubrication, and this was probably from not driving it. He also said it wasn't gonna hurt to drive the car like that, but the more I drive it, the worse it sounds, anyway does this mechanic know what he's talking about, and if so how long should I go before I replace them, that is if thats the only way to fix it?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by FeJ9
My car makes a kinda creaking noise whenever I shift from drive to reverse (it's an automatic), and it creaks when I take off. Im guessing this is the u-joints, from what a mechanic told me. He told me that my u-joints had lost their lubrication, and this was probably from not driving it. He also said it wasn't gonna hurt to drive the car like that, but the more I drive it, the worse it sounds, anyway does this mechanic know what he's talking about, and if so how long should I go before I replace them, that is if thats the only way to fix it?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Originally Posted by Perfusion
If you want to check your U-joints, put the car up on a lift, grab the tire at 12 o'clock and 6 and push/pull it back and forth. If there's no play in it, you're fine.
Some U-joints have a grease fitting and can be lubricated. I doubt if yours can. A badly worn joint will "clunk" especially when reversed. If yours are simply dry,which I question, All I can suggest is to get under the car anr rotate the drive shaft and listen very closely to each of the six joints.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
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From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
When Ujoints start to go they will more often than not cause a vibration that gets worse with increasing speed. Also, wheel bearings and ujoints will sometimes (not always) fail together. Use the 12/6 oclock test above to check the bearings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,011
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From: Texarkana TX
Beware of what a mechanic tells you! I had two mechanics tell me that the creaking noise my vette was making was the u joints. I spent half a day with my father replacing the inner and outer u joints on the drivers side. Guess what? I did not solve my problem. Apparently, the problem is my rear hub assembly. I have not bought one yet because I am saving my money for one. 
B.
B.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
I'd have to question a mechanic if he told me that sonething that had lost its lubrication would be fine without it. Why was it lubricated in the first place?
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
By rear hub, do you mean axle splines?
