How do you know when it's time to replace u-joints?

[fussfeld]

Is there a way to check the condition of u-joints?

Or do they start making funny noises etc?

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

They'll go clackety clack when you're driving down the road, or you might hear a clunk when you shift into gear. You can put it in neutral and check for driveshaft play, but this test has been totally worthless in my experience. I wasn’t completely sold on my u joint being bad until I pulled them, pulled the caps off, and saw where the roller bearings had carved an imprint of themselves into some of the trunnions.

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[Rusty Nail]

When you question them, it's time..

 

[idahovette]

A lot if the time they will start a squeaking noise when you back up, but like Rusty said if you question them it may be time

 

[Rusty Nail]

Thank you.

The parts are cheap and chxnging them is ALWAYS a learning experience. It's not a task completed often enough to become real proficient doing.

I use the box at O'Reilly's with a picture of a truck "catching air" on it. "Super Strength" ...I am unsure what brand they are....somebody up there knows!
Actually, now that I think of it, they may have been discontinued. because they are TOO GOOD and one ONE is like a lifetime supply.

Solid. None of that hollow, greaseable, JUNK in any of MY vehicles!

Aw naw, HELL NAW!

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PRECISION. I looked it up for you Brother. Dem R-D-gooduns. That's what you want...I would do whatever it takes to install THOSE, and then I would forget about them.

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[Blue Ox]

Hollow and greaseable is fine for a stock, street vehicle. Just be sure you orient the grease fittings so they're in compression during normal driving. For normal use I'd rather not have to take the driveshaft apart for maintenance, or resort to fix-as-fail.

But if you're making horses, going rock climbing etc. then solid is certainly stronger.

 

[dvdswan]

You can put it in neutral and check for driveshaft play, but this test has been totally worthless in my experience.

or jack up the rear end and move your tire back and forth...

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[shiftpro]

This brings up a question and concern of mine. My '81 (avatar) I drive daily has these reverse Torx head bolts holding the U joint caps on. I bought a socket but it's a china special and too bulky to get on the bolt. I ground it down a lot to make it fit and then it just broke as I reefed on it.
I was too lazy to drop the center bearing support, which would have opened the U joint enough to get the socket on. Guess I just answered my own question duh... pass the bong.

 

[Craig 85]

This brings up a question and concern of mine. My '81 (avatar) I drive daily has these reverse Torx head bolts holding the U joint caps on. I bought a socket but it's a china special and too bulky to get on the bolt.

I think my 87 C30 had those too. If I recall, I put the frame up on stands and let the rear end droop. The socket would only fit the yoke when two bolts were on the bottom. You then had to rotate it 180 degrees.

 

[rpcraft]

If you have a vice it's really easy to change them but if not now is a good time to pick up one of those large ball joint/ujoint kits. Chances are you will use it multiple times for multiple things and they are large enough to be used as a mini vise, clamp that can compress brake pistons, etc etc...

https://www.amazon.com/YUAN-Service...=1532005788&sr=8-10&keywords=ball+joint+press

 

[Blue Ox]

This brings up a question and concern of mine. My '81 (avatar) I drive daily has these reverse Torx head bolts holding the U joint caps on. I bought a socket but it's a china special and too bulky to get on the bolt. I ground it down a lot to make it fit and then it just broke as I reefed on it.
I was too lazy to drop the center bearing support, which would have opened the U joint enough to get the socket on. Guess I just answered my own question duh... pass the bong.

They're 12 point. Just use a combination wrench with a 12 point box, but it is likely that you'll have to turn the shaft to gain clearance.