u-joints squeaking when load is applied

[Mike Tonon]

As I'm driving. Hit them with lube spray about a month ago, noise came back just recently. Hit them again today with lube and it fixed it again. How can I get rid of the squeaking for longer than a month? There are no zerk fittings. I prefer not to change the u-joints, they're tight, just noisy. thanks

 

[black_demon69]

As I'm driving. Hit them with lube spray about a month ago, noise came back just recently. Hit them again today with lube and it fixed it again. How can I get rid of the squeaking for longer than a month? There are no zerk fittings. I prefer not to change the u-joints, they're tight, just noisy. thanks

it just means that joints are dry and need replaced especially if no zerk fittings u joints are petty cheap and a lot of them have zerk fittings this would most definitely solve your problem for a lot longer then a month.

 

[Andy D]

The trouble with not replacing U joints when they get noisy is that they get quiet at the most inopportune times

 

[6.2]

Replace. And get ones with zerks. If its squeezing its dry, spry lube won't be enough. You will eventually kill it. And ot always seems to happen at the worst times.

So just replace it. Seriously easy to do.

 

[Mike Tonon]

What are good u-joints? I plow with the truck, so I want something really good. Also, my driveshaft has unusual bolt heads on the bolts, anyone know what these are called, so I can get a socket for them?

I aso have a knocking in my front end, I think its sway bar links. What does everyone recommend for sway bar links? Like what's a good brand?

 

[black_demon69]

What are good u-joints? I plow with the truck, so I want something really good. Also, my driveshaft has unusual bolt heads on the bolts, anyone know what these are called, so I can get a socket for them?

I aso have a knocking in my front end, I think its sway bar links. What does everyone recommend for sway bar links? Like what's a good brand?

precision seem to be ok ujoints I've never had problems with them just keep them greased. there are better ujoints out there but cant think of any others right now. as for the socket i believe 12mm 12 point at least that is what it is on my 94...

 

[Andy D]

I bought a Dana for the rear U-Joint. This was after it spit out the Auto Zone joint. It was my install. The Danas are grease-able. but also they have permanent lubed versions

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The permanently lubed u-joint will be strongest; there is no hole weakening the casting. If you go with a grease fitting, make sure it is oriented such that the torque compresses the fitting. I believe the oddball bolt heads are torx, tho I can't recall what size. If they are 12mm 12-point, then a combination wrench will work.

 

[veefer800canuck]

If you're not sure what a 12 point bolt head is, you may be further ahead to have a shop change the u-joints for you.

 

[black_demon69]

although i don't remember what brand u joints i used when i did all mine i do know that mine are grease able and grease fittings are in the bearing caps not the cross....

and yes Dana are very good (couldn't think of them earlier)

 

[racsan]

id stay away from the autozone joints, did mine 2 years ago, got the "best" ones they had, lifetime pre-lubed with silicone grease....and then this past fall had to replace the one by the rear diff again. with only about 25,000 miles since the u-joint change, it shouldnt have needed it again. originals went over 150,000 miles, had 60,000 on the truck when i bought it. all the bearing cross surfaces had wear marks from the roller bearings, im guessing poor heat treatment. put a napa joint in this time. that should last the life of the truck.... i hope!

 

[black_demon69]

id stay away from the autozone joints, did mine 2 years ago, got the "best" ones they had, lifetime pre-lubed with silicone grease....and then this past fall had to replace the one by the rear diff again. with only about 25,000 miles since the u-joint change, it shouldnt have needed it again. originals went over 150,000 miles, had 60,000 on the truck when i bought it. all the bearing cross surfaces had wear marks from the roller bearings, im guessing poor heat treatment. put a napa joint in this time. that should last the life of the truck.... i hope!

better yet just stay from autozone I DO!!! I won't buy anything from there.

 

[Andy D]

Ah jeeze. If I had done a proper job of cleaning the grooves the retainers sit in, the AZ, more'n likely, chinese part would still be doing its job. I have an Auto Zone down town, 2 miles away. I can go on line and get a part number.,see if they have it in stock and go get it. I don't have any trouble with their stuff. I don't use them for electrical stuff except batteries. Mostly I buy brake parts. I have 25 bucks worth of parts in a rear brake refresh. All parts, 2 20" bubble flair steel lines and a set of pads.were in stock.
Here's the kicker. I drive 200 miles a day for work. I don't drive in my free time, if I can help it.. I have 2 old cars and I don't use them. Mostly all I do is fix them

 

[black_demon69]

Ah jeeze. If I had done a proper job of cleaning the grooves the retainers sit in, the AZ, more'n likely, chinese part would still be doing its job. I have an Auto Zone down town, 2 miles away. I can go on line and get a part number.,see if they have it in stock and go get it. I don't have any trouble with their stuff. I don't use them for electrical stuff except batteries. Mostly I buy brake parts. I have 25 bucks worth of parts in a rear brake refresh. All parts, 2 20" bubble flair steel lines and a set of pads.were in stock.
Here's the kicker. I drive 200 miles a day for work. I don't drive in my free time, if I can help it.. I have 2 old cars and I don't use them. Mostly all I do is fix them

my biggest problem with AZ is customer service. they made me wait 45 min one time to check out and i ended up just dropping $450 worth of brake parts on the floor when after asking the manager to get someone to check me and 10 other people out he said can't you see we are busy here and i said well apparently too busy to take my money.. so i dropped the parts and went down the street and was in and out in 10 min.. thats the biggest reason i dislike AutoZone...

 

[Andy D]

my biggest problem with AZ is customer service. they made me wait 45 min one time to check out and i ended up just dropping $450 worth of brake parts on the floor when after asking the manager to get someone to check me and 10 other people out he said can't you see we are busy here and i said well apparently too busy to take my money.. so i dropped the parts and went down the street and was in and out in 10 min.. thats the biggest reason i dislike AutoZone...

Bad service is a different deal. That is mis-management and why I dont use Home Depot and Stop and Shop very often. The local AZ has a small fleet of Rangers for running parts. That means they are jobbing for local shops, so somewhere they are doing something right. Also, If I'm buying 450$ worth of parts at once, it is a whole car.