Universal Joint Diagnosis and replacement

[skrizan]

I just finished replacing the u-joints on my 1995 S10 pickup, 2wd, 5-speed manual 224,000 miles, and thought I would post my experience to help others.

Probably 6 months ago at least I started noticing a droning or humming coming from the rear end at highway speeds. I thought maybe it was a wheel bearing, so I checked the wheels and everything seemed OK. Turned the radio up a little louder and ignored it. In the last month or so It felt like the truck was running rough or something, a little vibration and louder.

Than in the last couple weeks the vibration got worse, especially during acceleration and between 35-50 mph, I heard squeaking at take-off, and occasional clunks. I also heard a ting at all speeds which sounded like when your exhaust cools off. After doing some searches here I was pretty sure it was a u-joint issue.

Now on to the repair. I have a regular cab short bed - 1 piece driveshaft - 2 u-joints. I was in need of a new vise anyway, so I bought big 5" vise at Harbor Freight Tools, planning to press the old u-joints out with it.

It wasn't big enough. By the time you put the driveshaft and the two sockets together you are talking 8.5 to 9 inches.

I had used a ball joint press from Autozone to replace my ball joints a year or so ago and thought it might work for this also. (Loan a tool, put it on a credit card and take it back when you're done, free, awesome deal)
Note: I use an impact wrench with it, I wouldn't want to have to do it with hand tools.

This worked great, but I still had to heat up the caps to melt the plastic before they would break free. (Even though my Haynes manual said they could just be pressed out, maybe with a big enough press I guess).

Assembly was going ok until one of the needle bearings must have tipped over and I blew the end out of one of the caps. Bought a replacement and started over, only $10 at least. I had a tough time getting the second snap ring in on the axle end of the driveshaft and it was moving much stiffer than the transmission end. I installed it anyway and went for a test drive, The vibration was gone, but there was a horrendous squeak at all speeds.

Long story short, the yoke was to tight on the caps on the axle end. I ended up grinding the inside of the yoke evenly on each side, to open it up a little more for the snap rings. It went together fine and move easier than before (With another new ujoint), and all vibrations, squeaks and clunks have disappeared.

[hangun61]

Good info, thanks. I have a 96 2.2, 2WD, 5spd S10 and I'm getting ready for U-joints too. Sounds like a pain, maybe I'll take it somewhere.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by skrizan

I just finished replacing the u-joints on my 1995 S10 pickup, 2wd, 5-speed manual 224,000 miles, and thought I would post my experience to help others.



I heard squeaking at take-off,


This worked great, but I still had to heat up the caps to melt the plastic before they would break free. (Even though my Haynes manual said they could just be pressed out, maybe with a big enough press I guess).

.

Long story short, the yoke was to tight on the caps on the axle end. I ended up grinding the inside of the yoke evenly on each side, to open it up a little more for the snap rings. It went together fine and move easier than before (With another new ujoint), and all vibrations, squeaks and clunks have disappeared.

the squeaking in take off is what I have always found to be the drive shaft U joints...every time...

when removing the old you must heat the joint caps till the plastic bubbles then hook up press and push/hammer out...

when the new U joint locking clips won't go in you have bent the yoke, it must be bent back . I use a bolt/washer/stud and force the metal back to the proper position...use a little heat ....I don't recommend any grinding....


before anything is done mark the drive shaft and install exactly as it was...on install...........

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by skrizan

I just finished replacing the u-joints on my 1995 S10 pickup, 2wd, 5-speed manual 224,000 miles, and thought I would post my experience to help others.

Probably 6 months ago at least I started noticing a droning or humming coming from the rear end at highway speeds. I thought maybe it was a wheel bearing, so I checked the wheels and everything seemed OK. Turned the radio up a little louder and ignored it. In the last month or so It felt like the truck was running rough or something, a little vibration and louder.

Than in the last couple weeks the vibration got worse, especially during acceleration and between 35-50 mph, I heard squeaking at take-off, and occasional clunks. I also heard a ting at all speeds which sounded like when your exhaust cools off. After doing some searches here I was pretty sure it was a u-joint issue.

Now on to the repair. I have a regular cab short bed - 1 piece driveshaft - 2 u-joints. I was in need of a new vise anyway, so I bought big 5" vise at Harbor Freight Tools, planning to press the old u-joints out with it.

It wasn't big enough. By the time you put the driveshaft and the two sockets together you are talking 8.5 to 9 inches.

I had used a ball joint press from Autozone to replace my ball joints a year or so ago and thought it might work for this also. (Loan a tool, put it on a credit card and take it back when you're done, free, awesome deal)
Note: I use an impact wrench with it, I wouldn't want to have to do it with hand tools.

This worked great, but I still had to heat up the caps to melt the plastic before they would break free. (Even though my Haynes manual said they could just be pressed out, maybe with a big enough press I guess).

Assembly was going ok until one of the needle bearings must have tipped over and I blew the end out of one of the caps. Bought a replacement and started over, only $10 at least. I had a tough time getting the second snap ring in on the axle end of the driveshaft and it was moving much stiffer than the transmission end. I installed it anyway and went for a test drive, The vibration was gone, but there was a horrendous squeak at all speeds.

Long story short, the yoke was to tight on the caps on the axle end. I ended up grinding the inside of the yoke evenly on each side, to open it up a little more for the snap rings. It went together fine and move easier than before (With another new ujoint), and all vibrations, squeaks and clunks have disappeared.

You should never grind on it.
When installing u joints many people make the mistake of pressing/driving the cap to tight up against the cross.
If the drag when turning joint they are to tight.
Always take a blunt punch on the center of cross and drive the cap back out against the spap ring on all 4 caps.