Play in rear universal joint

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT OR AXLE, IT GOES HERE.
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thunderheart
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Play in rear universal joint

Post by thunderheart »

My '94 cargo has a pretty ugly vibration that mostly occurs on down hills or coasting, but seems to go away when power is applied. Got under it and found significant play in one axis of the rear universal. It will move side to side a good 8th of an inch. Here's a brief video:

http://youtu.be/3hly0v_zYNI

Should I replace the u-joint? Would this play possibly be the source of the vibration? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes to both but just looking for verification.

Thanks for any insight,

Dallas
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Play in rear universal joint

Post by doyoulikeithere »

replace worn ujoints. It helps cure vibes.
If the yoke is spread, replace it too.
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2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Play in rear universal joint

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Hell yeah you need to replace that u-joint! :yikes: Hopefully it doesn't break before you get it done. While at it, replace the front one and make sure both are grease-able for future maintenance.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

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Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Topic author
thunderheart
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:42 pm

Re: Play in rear universal joint

Post by thunderheart »

doyoulikeithere wrote:replace worn ujoints. It helps cure vibes.
If the yoke is spread, replace it too.
Cool. Will do. How would I be able to tell about the yoke? Can I measure it somehow to tell?
LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Hell yeah you need to replace that u-joint! :yikes: Hopefully it doesn't break before you get it done. While at it, replace the front one and make sure both are grease-able for future maintenance.
Roger. It sure didn't look right to me though like I say I don't know much about these things. I figured on replacing them both while I had the shaft out. No worries on it breaking as the van is not in service yet. Got to put some tires on it and get tags etc. But I want to get it running ASAP.

Thanx for the advice fellas,

Dallas
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Play in rear universal joint

Post by doyoulikeithere »

That style of yoke should fit tight to the ujoint. It has tabs (visible in your video) that should be snug to a new ujoint.
It it isnt snug, and just seems a bunch wider than the ujoint, its probably spread, and could be replaced for a better vibe-free fit.
Thats what I think I see in your vid, , a spread yoke.
You can get good measurements and part numbers for ordering, from here:
http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/depdf. ... J300P-COLL
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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