Difference between bad Ujoints or Wheelbearing

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Apr 12, 2006 | 10:01 AM

ZZZASY

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From: Woodbridge VA

Difference between bad Ujoints or Wheelbearing

Jacked the car up yesterday to do 3/9, 12/6 test on the tires to check the suspension. I had play in both directions on the driver's side. I changed the hubs last summer; so I'm thinking the play may not be the hub, but the Ujoint. When moving the tire, the play seems to be at spindle linkage. I hear no clicking which I thought was the sign of bad ujoint. Is there a way that I can tell whether its the ujoint or hub? Also, if I'm going to replace the Ujoint, should I replace both of them or just the one that appears to be bad?

zzzasy
'96 LT4

Apr 13, 2006 | 02:17 PM

ZZZASY

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From: Woodbridge VA

Any takers?

zzzasy

Apr 13, 2006 | 02:22 PM

C4driver99

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From: Concord NC

U Jooints make a clicking noise that can be heard even when your driving. You probablably have bad hubs but id replace both hubs and U-Joints and have the mechanic check it all out and shoot some grease in there. Save you alot of headaches down the road

Apr 13, 2006 | 02:39 PM

CFI-EFI

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From: The Top of Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZZASY

The u joint has little to do with wheel movement. If the bearing is good, the wheel won't move any differently with a good joint, or the half shaft removed from the car. If you have reason not to suspect the wheel bearings, LOOK for the source of the play when you move the wheel. There are always the tie rod ends and any number of bushings.

RACE ON!!!

Apr 13, 2006 | 02:49 PM

ZZZASY

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From: Woodbridge VA

When I move the tire, I see no other components underneath moving. I'm going to replace the Ujoint and tie end rod, but I didn't see any movement in them. What I did notice was a lot of play in at the driveaxle at the spindle in the wheel. The amount of movement just didn't seem right; like there was something loose, but there is nothing there to be loose is it?

zzzasy
'96 LT4

Apr 13, 2006 | 02:58 PM

CFI-EFI

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From: The Top of Utah

No! It all depends on what is moving...relative to what. A bad u joint woun't allow wheel movement. A loose tie rod end will allow the wheel and knuckle to move as a unit, but it won't allow the wheel to move in relation to the knuckle. Possibly a little more inspection time is in order.

RACE ON!!!

Apr 13, 2006 | 03:09 PM

ZZZASY

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From: Woodbridge VA

On that, I will agree. Will jack it and take a closer look when I get home. The movement I'm referring to is, if I jiggle the driveaxle, there is a lot of slack in the ujoint area where it enters the hub. I moved the tire around last time. I think I will remove the tire on that side next time and grab the hub itself and see what happens.

Thanks for the help,

zzzasy
'96 LT4

Apr 13, 2006 | 11:31 PM

Jay Axson

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I just went thru the same problem, ujoint or wheel bearing.

I knew something was crunching, but couldn't tell exactly which it was as they were too close to each other. Not to mention the corsa's are pretty loud even at idle lying under the car.

So I just ripped the half shaft out to disconnect the two suspect parts. In my case it was the u-joint. Needle bearings turned to dust on one spoke.

I had no clunk noise just crunching and snapping; no detectable play when rotating the wheel.

Last edited by Jay Axson; Apr 13, 2006 at 11:35 PM.