Can a bad U-joint cause transmission problems?
The worn universal joint is now causing damage to other components of the vehicle – including the transmission.
How much slack should a driveshaft have?
The drive shaft flange should move less that 1/4 inch with the emergency brake set. If the diff has too much slack it will show in the t-case also as those gears have a lot more end play in them. The excess slack could be pinion bearings or more likely the spiders and side gears in the diff.
Can a U-joint fail on a truck?
The joint can fail, causing binding and (ultimately) will damage the drive shaft beyond repair. You do not want to throw out a drive shaft because your truck will become permanently parked. U-joints are a precision part that takes a beating. If they are worn and loose, they will cause a clunk when shifting between gears.
What causes the U-joint of a drive shaft to squeak?
Since the bearing portion of each universal joint twists a small amount with each rotation of the driveshaft (but always in the same location) the grease can evaporate, or be thrown out of the bearing cup. The bearing becomes dry, metal-to-metal contact is made, and the u-joint bearings will squeak as the drive shaft rotates.
What happens when a universal joint breaks in a truck?
You’ve probably seen it before: a truck on the side of the road, with the drive shaft lying under the vehicle, no longer attached to the transmission or rear axle. This is the ultimate failure mode for a universal joint – literally breaking, and allowing the drive shaft to drop to the pavement, no longer transferring power.
How do you check the wear on a U-joint?
To check for wear when no dust is evident, grip one side of the joint firmly and try to turn the other side against holding pressure. There should be no play in the joint at all. Make another check by inserting a large screwdriver between the yoke and the spider and levering it to see if there is any play.