U joint noise?

[Snake]

Ok so far the 69 Dart has been trouble free:thumblef: Went for a ride last night and I now here a noise under the car first thought maybe a wheel bearing jack up the front no play and spurned quiet.Sorry the noise is hard to describe,next is to jack up the rear and put into drive and look under and listen.Will this work or does there have to be weight load on the U joints? this spring I was able to grease the rear joint but cant get to the front to grease,I must admit I have never greased the front joint my gun can get in there,my bad I know.Any thoughtssss guys kind of bumped out.

 

[pettybludart]

Yes the u-joint usually needs to be under load to hear any squeeking,grinding.Personally,I,d just go ahead and replace,just for piece of mind.JMO.Make sure to locate the grease nipple for access when installed.Good luck.

P.S I always like to keep a spare u-joint in my toolbox,not all parts stores here have them in stock.

 

[Snake]

Yes the u-joint usually needs to be under load to hear any squeeking,grinding.Personally,I,d just go ahead and replace,just for piece of mind.JMO.Make sure to locate the grease nipple for access when installed.Good luck.

P.S I always like to keep a spare u-joint in my toolbox,not all parts stores here have them in stock.

Thanks Scott for the fast reply,I called car quest they have two types in stock the big and small cup size,your right about just going ahead of replacing them anyway.Thing is its not klunking.

 

[pettybludart]

Hey Snake,with the drier season finally here these old cars begin to make all kinds of noises.It could be a rear wheel bearing,dry old bushings,bad BJ(ball joint LOL)Check all before just assuming its a U-joint.good luck.

 

[Snake]

Hey Snake,with the drier season finally here these old cars begin to make all kinds of noises.It could be a rear wheel bearing,dry old bushings,bad BJ(ball joint LOL)Check all before just assuming its a U-joint.good luck.

Well just got home and I did this once to a ford fairmont we had I sprayed the front joint with grease from a can went for a ride no noise could be on to something here.rain this weekend so plan to pull the shaft and try to get a grease gun in there to grease and go from there.PS all bearing front rear are new all new bushings all front ends parts,but who knows.when I did the grease spray on the old ford work great so good in time that joint came loose and left me on the side of the road.:wackS how does one check wheel bearings front and back to see if there bad?

 

[Bad Sport]

If it's kind of a squeaky, chirpy noise it's probably a u joint. Just did one on my truck and I could hear it chirping when under acceleration.

You could raise a tire off of the ground a couple of inches and stick a bar under it and lift slightly to see if you have play in the bearings, also on the front you can grab the tire at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and wiggle it.

When you drive it does the noise get faster as you accelerate? I would definitely check the u joints, not always can you feel it loose or get it to make noise just by moving it with your hands. Probably dry needle bearings. If that's the case I would change them. You do not want the front one coming apart when you're driving. I had that happen 30 years ago at about 40 mph and the driveshaft dug into the pavement and lifted the rear of the car off of the ground and set me sideways in the road. Not only did I have to change a u joint, but my shorts as well LOL.

I run a driveshaft loop now.

 

[Snake]

I could only here it at slow speeds thats when I heard it.With load exhaust its hard to here any time.

 

[67Dart273]

There is only ONE WAY to check U joints and that is to remove the shaft. Only then can you move and wiggle the yoke/ joint, and of course remove two caps on the rear.

Look for roughness, or a dry scraping noise/ feel. You can NOT find them, often, in the vehicle because they often get moisture in and rust, and "tighten up".

 

[Bad Sport]

There is only ONE WAY to check U joints and that is to remove the shaft. Only then can you move and wiggle the yoke/ joint, and of course remove two caps on the rear.

Look for roughness, or a dry scraping noise/ feel. You can NOT find them, often, in the vehicle because they often get moisture in and rust, and "tighten up".

Yup, dead on. Pull it and move the joints they should feel firm, with fluid movement. No scratchy feeling or binding. I just did the rear shaft in my truck and checking them in the truck they seemed fine. Once I took it out and put it on the bench it was very obvious.

 

[Snake]

Yup, dead on. Pull it and move the joints they should feel firm, with fluid movement. No scratchy feeling or binding. I just did the rear shaft in my truck and checking them in the truck they seemed fine. Once I took it out and put it on the bench it was very obvious.

Thanks will do this weekend i will let yasss know what I find.

 

[Bad Sport]

Verdict?

 

[Snake]

Here ya go badsport,was able to grease the front up,it was loosey goosey,the yoke got good and tight after the new grease,installed the shaft went on a few hard passessss no noise now.But sure the lack of lub has hurt the needle bearing so new joints soon.

 

[Bad Sport]

Are you running a loop? You won't like the ride if that thing comes apart at 60 mph. Glad you found it, it's a simple and inexpensive fix anyway.

 

[Snake]

Are you running a loop? You won't like the ride if that thing comes apart at 60 mph. Glad you found it, it's a simple and inexpensive fix anyway.

No loop nothing.