How do i know my u -joints are toast?

[jorgescar69]

I was spinning me wheels in the snow the other nite... and now it feels like my truck is gonna vibrate apart! What should I look for?

 

[deweyville65]

I was spinning me wheels in the snow the other nite... and now it feels like my truck is gonna vibrate apart! What should I look for?

It will help to know when it vibrates. Or is it more like a shaking? More info needed to help with a diagnosis.

 

[corkey]

park on a flat level surface, turn the key till it unlocks the steering , put your foot on the brake, put it in nuetral, , get under, turn the front and rear driveshafts by hand, while doing this try to push up and pull down, looking for slop

if it is there , it will be pretty evident,

other way is to put a pry bar into the space in the u joint and try to move them, if it does, it's worn,,,

 

[corkey]

 

[jorgescar69]

Thanks... I dont think its the u joints. The snapping sounds are comming out the transfer case! I think that when I was getting out of the snowbank is when it letgo. Its banging very loud and shaking the truck.
I got it up off the ground and took off the skid platre. Then spun the tires by hand.and was making it go snap snap snap. Oh snap!
Do u think the one ODDBALL tire in the rear has just toasted me case?

 

[inkjunkie]

Thanks... I dont think its the u joints. The snapping sounds are comming out the transfer case! I think that when I was getting out of the snowbank is when it letgo. Its banging very loud and shaking the truck.
I got it up off the ground and took off the skid platre. Then spun the tires by hand.and was making it go snap snap snap. Oh snap!
Do u think the one ODDBALL tire in the rear has just toasted me case?

Define ODDBALL....All 4 tires need to match on a 4x4, if you run different height tires you will eventually tear stuff up, whether it be the diff or the transfer case.....

 

[jorgescar69]

ummm... well,
i have 3 wrangler rts 255/70/16 and one what ever brand of the same size.

that top ball was out of place!!!

 

[jorgescar69]

oh... the u joints are all very tight!

 

[swshawaii]

Definitely an out of place ODDBALL. Would think that "may" cause a vibration.

 

[corkey]

that thing is in ugly shape, needs a rebuild and quick,

 

[jorgescar69]

Im just gonna get another from the local salvage yard n call it done.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Dont be shocked if a salvage yard shaft has bad cv. Might be better off either getting a replacement joint or reman shaft.

 

[Kevlar7R]

is that the cv in the front drive shaft? I take it then you have an AWD and not a 4x4?
Does your truck have "AWD" badging and NO 4x4 selector switch or shift lever inside? Or does it have "control Trac" badging, and an "auto-high-lo" switch in the cab?

If you are AWD with the viscous coupling (no selector switch inside the cab) then it is critical your tires match all the way around. The result is a failure, usually that driveshaft, or the tcase, or both. If that failed, then you should definitely check your case. There is a procedure somewhere for checking it.

The quick and dirty is, with front 2 tires in the air, truck in park, you should be able to turn the front drive shaft by hand. It will be very stiff resistance but it will turn, if it will not turn, you've got a locked up case. If that is so, don't replace that shaft, you'll just destroy the new one. Think instead about a 4406 swap, which is well documented in other threads around here.

If you have a selector switch, then different story on the case, but still need matching tires.