U-Joint Doesn't fit?

[Co0kieduster]

Tried to search fo this problem but came up with nothing. When I went to install my new drive shaft ujoint this morning it was loose. What I mean is the cap was spinning in the whole instead of around the splines. I was replacing the ujoint because i noticed the old one doing the same thing.

Does this mean my driveshaft is no good since the old ujoint caps spun in the wholes and bored them out a bit? Or would buying the more expensive spicer brand joints fix the issue? I just grabbed the only ones available at advanced auto fo 10 bucks.

[5thhorsemann]

Soooooooo, you didn't have to press the old U-joint apart to remove it from the DS?

Did you buy the replacement based on a P/N on the old joint or by cross reference to the car?

[Co0kieduster]

Right, the old u-joint basically fell out once the clip were off. Bought the new one by cross reference.

[Co0kieduster]

To clarify a little more, I got neapco brand ujoints from advanced auto, which were the same ones that carquest had in stock. Unfortunately I took them back already and don't remember the part number.

[5thhorsemann]

The new parts should be press fit, check your yolks for roundness and size to see if they are out of round.

[Co0kieduster]

yolks aren't out of round, and they seem to measure the same as the front yolks although i'm only eyeballing it with a tap measurer. roughly 25mm

[Co0kieduster]

the front ujoint is a GMB brand, im thinking of ordering one and seeing if that fits.

[Zed Head]

The old u-joint bearing cup should not have fallen out when the retaining clip was removed. It should be a very tight press fit and should have been difficult to remove. Your driveshaft yoke may have been messed with or is just worn out. A salvage yard replacement driveshaft might be in order.

[5thhorsemann]

A tape measure wont cut it for these types of dimensions, get a cheap set of calipers (at least) at sears or horbor freight and take some measurements. Are both yolks (all 4 pcs) loose like that or just one?

[Co0kieduster]

all four were loose old and new

[5thhorsemann]

Could be the wrong parts.

could be the right parts and depending on exactly how loose you might get away with the Loctite bearing/ bushing setter compound. You will have to take accurate measurements and buy the rite compound for your gap, remember to devide the difference by two, its a circle in a circle.

[Co0kieduster]

Ended up buying a drive shaft from a member of the local zcar club. All is well. Now if only i can figure out where all this vibration is still coming from.