Can a worn U-joint cause wheel balance problem?
It can also cause vibrations at higher speeds. This may feel like a wheel balance problem. The way to tell the two problems apart is in most cases a worn u-joint will cause vibration during acceleration or deceleration. A tire balance problem will create a steady vibration regardless of throttle position.
What should I do if I find a problem with my U-joints?
If you find u-joints with any problems, just go ahead and replace it. In most cases they are not expensive. Different manufacturers have different types of joints. Therefore, they have different service procedures for replacing defective parts.Example, the General Motors original universal joints use plastic inserts to lock them in place.
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.
Why do rear wheel drive cars use universal joints?
This allows each end of the driveshaft, and its associated universal joint, to bend with each rotation of the driveshaft in order to handle the misalignment (as a side note, rear-wheel drive cars now mostly utilize constant-velocity joints for the same purpose, which permit far smoother flexibility of drive shaft rotation).
Can a bad U-joint on a car be repaired?
As it wears out, it doesn’t make a tight connection to the differential and driveshaft, allowing for too much play at the joint. Fortunately, a u-joint is a straightforward and inexpensive fix, and one of our technicians can have you back on the road in no time.
How to replace a drive shaft u-joint?
I am having a hard time finding the part numbers..any help or tips to replacing…are they called jack shaft U-joints? 1999 E320 4Matic wagon..thanks Bill the wagon has 184k miles..replace whole shaft? Just u-Joints? Register for the EPC (link in the stickies, it’s free) and then you can plug in your VIN and look up parts until your eyes cross.
Can a bad U-joint cause a clunking sound?
A bad u-joint can cause a clunking sound or jerkiness while driving, particularly when letting off of and pressing the accelerator. A bad u-joint can also cause vibration at certain speeds, emanating from the center or rear of the vehicle. If a u-joint is excessively worn, there’s an easy test you can perform.
What happens to the suspension on a Mercedes Benz?
With age and mileage, critical suspension components such as control arm bushings, thrust rods, tie rods, ball joints, sway bar links and wheel bearings begin to wear and loose their effectiveness. Over time, your Mercedes Benz will loose some of its key handling characteristics.