Acceptable Play in U-Joints???

[Marty Rogan]

I finished up the suspension rebuild on my '71. Put in PU bushings, new MSA springs and Illuminas.

Now that its all back together, I have a clunk coming from the driver's side rear. The clunk wasn't there before the rebuild. I thought something may not have been tightened down, so I went over everything again. Its all tight.

While under there I grabbed the half shaft and twisted it. I get about 1/16 of an inch slack and it does make some noise when I move it. Is any slack acceptable in the half shaft u-joints, or should I just repalce it?

TIA,

Marty

[PrOxLaMuS©]

mine do the SAME thing.. when you did the rebuilt one of the u-joint needles probably fell out...

just throw some new ones in.. only cost about $7 a piece

[mlc240z]

another possibility is the gland nut on strut towers.

clunk on acceleration or over bumps? check about 1/2 way down page for clunk over bumps.

http://www.geocities.com/zgarage2001/probs.html

[Bambikiller240]

Are you referring to play in the "u-joints" themselves or in the drivetrain as a whole? There should be ZERO play in the u-joints themselves. If you are meaning that when you rotate the wheel/axle in one direction and then reverse the direction of rotation, there is usually some "play" to be noticed, but it should come from inside the differential (I believe it's related to the backlash adjustment of the ring and pinion gear) but the "play" should NOT be related to the actual u-joints themselves. Any play in the actual u-joints indicates a bad u-joint. BTW, good quality u-joints will cost more than $7 but are worth the added cost.

[Gav240z]

I'll second that motion cheap Uni joints break under higher power applications.

[beandip]

unless you enjoy replacing ujoints the cheep ones are not worth the time to install them. I agree with bambikiller there shouldent be any play at all in them . I would replace them both while you have the shaft out . In fact I recommend changing all four. If one is shot the others will fail vary soon . I dident do this on my car and I was back in two weeks doing the other shaft. Gary P S I think mine were about $20. + each . That was 5 years ago.

[Marty Rogan]

I grabbed the half shaft and turned it back and forth. It moves about 1/16". There is an audible noise, before the wheels start to move. So, it looks like it is shot.

So there are 2 u-joints on each half shaft, right?

I am going to locate some Spicers. I have heard lots of good things about them.

Marty

[Marty Rogan]

Cr#%!! I can't seem to locate Spicer U-joints locally. Everybody seems to have Precision Brand, or I can get Beck Arnley. Anybody have experience with those brands?

Otherwise, I guess I will go with Nissan.

I need to get them in a hurry, since I have a track day on Saturday.

TIA,

Marty

[texasz]

MSA carries Spicer. They are not all that expensive either considering the quality.

[Marty Rogan]

Thanks. How much are they at MSA?

My only worry, is that I won't get them in time to get them installed by Saturday. Of course I guess I could pay through the nose for overnight delivery.

Marty

[Marty Rogan]

Hey TexasZ,

Thanks for the tip on MSA. I placed an order with them. FedEx 2 day was only $13, not too bad.

Marty

[texasz]

No problem at all, I'm glad I could help.