Left Half Shaft U-Joint Problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Left Half Shaft U-Joint Problem
I have had a vibration and noise coming from the left rear of my '92 for a while now. It only occured when I applied the brakes. I pulled the left rear wheel a few times to check the rotor, pads and caliper to see if anything was broken or loose. I finally pulled the half shaft (PITA)and found the outside u-joint bad. No rusty dust on the hub to indicate the needle bearings had lost its grease, but sure enough, it is toast. I will replace both u-joints with new heavy duty ones, install and enjoy my car again! I replace the pads last time I had the wheels off.
Bernie
Bernie
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,655
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From: NEwhere Ohio
I have had a vibration and noise coming from the left rear of my '92 for a while now. It only occured when I applied the brakes. I pulled the left rear wheel a few times to check the rotor, pads and caliper to see if anything was broken or loose. I finally pulled the half shaft (PITA)and found the outside u-joint bad. No rusty dust on the hub to indicate the needle bearings had lost its grease, but sure enough, it is toast. I will replace both u-joints with new heavy duty ones, install and enjoy my car again! I replace the pads last time I had the wheels off.
Bernie
Bernie
This helps combat a 'click' or 'clunk' noise you might hear when you go to accelerate when cold.
Very common on C4's
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
He doesn't need to separate the spindle from the hub if he's just going to replace the ujoints on the halfshafts. Unless he's having problems, probably best to leave it alone.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I did get 4 new H.D. u-joints for both half shafts! While it is on the stands might as well make the most of it. Thanks for all the info guys! Never know what I could overlook or miss and someone else's expertise or experience is much appreciated!
Bernie
Bernie
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
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From: Irvine Ca
Since you already got it out, You'll appreciate a couple of things.
When doing the inside u-joint straps, the best way to reach them is to use a bunch of extensions and reach all the way in from the outside of the wheel hub. Get to them from the top side of the shaft. It makes it easy because you can grab the hub and rotate it for each nut. Go to any Tool seller and get a Tool that fits into your Cordless drill....this tool allows you to use sockets with your drill. Using your drill (it won't break bolts loose) you can spin those bolts right out.....going back together is just as nice! You have to torque with your torque wrench anyway....spin that bolt in place and then change.
The wheel side straps are a two person job if you want to do it rapidly.
Don't take too much off of the suspension apart, just use a Big F***kin screwdriver to pry the hub outward to get the shaft out.
The U-joint is Steel and the Half shaft is Alloy. They'll be stuck. All it takes once again is a BFH and a really good hit to get them to move the first time. After that, they tap in pretty easily.
Take the Half shaft out on the driveway and use an SOS pad and shine that baby up.
When doing the inside u-joint straps, the best way to reach them is to use a bunch of extensions and reach all the way in from the outside of the wheel hub. Get to them from the top side of the shaft. It makes it easy because you can grab the hub and rotate it for each nut. Go to any Tool seller and get a Tool that fits into your Cordless drill....this tool allows you to use sockets with your drill. Using your drill (it won't break bolts loose) you can spin those bolts right out.....going back together is just as nice! You have to torque with your torque wrench anyway....spin that bolt in place and then change.
The wheel side straps are a two person job if you want to do it rapidly.
Don't take too much off of the suspension apart, just use a Big F***kin screwdriver to pry the hub outward to get the shaft out.
The U-joint is Steel and the Half shaft is Alloy. They'll be stuck. All it takes once again is a BFH and a really good hit to get them to move the first time. After that, they tap in pretty easily.
Take the Half shaft out on the driveway and use an SOS pad and shine that baby up.
Last edited by jhammons01; Dec 4, 2009 at 11:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I installed new heavy duty Spicer u-joints onto the half shafts, got them back on--what a PITA(much harder to do than on my '79. Took it for a drive and still have a very bad vibration (shudder) when I apply the brakes. I did not check the brake disc so I will pull the wheel, left caliper and see if anything is warped or bent. Got to be something simple.
Bernie
Bernie
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
I installed new heavy duty Spicer u-joints onto the half shafts, got them back on--what a PITA(much harder to do than on my '79. Took it for a drive and still have a very bad vibration (shudder) when I apply the brakes. I did not check the brake disc so I will pull the wheel, left caliper and see if anything is warped or bent. Got to be something simple.
Bernie
Bernie
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