MTFCA Forum

I think I might have hurt the u-joint.
I installed an original style rear end.
Things were going great.
I took her for a little spin. Hit the breaks and it sounded like the u-joint was about to jump out.
Getting back to the garage was a slow ride.
The bolts for the ball cap were not tightened.
I tightened them and I am still getting the u-joint noise.
Before I pull the rear end, any idea what I might be looking at?
Would it be possible for the u-joint be broken and still let the T move?
I am thinking a u-joint replacement.

Any and all thoughts welcomed.

It will be one of those pull it apart to find out, can't see it my self that the uni could break but if the ball cap was loose then the drive plate on the transmission could have bent, did oil run out of it on your drive?

Yes, the U joint can be broken and the car can still move. One of our club members had that happen. With the original rear end that you installed, did you check it out internally? If not, do you know for sure if it has bronze thrust washers? Thrust washer failure is typical in original rear ends that haven't been checked. When they go, the ring and pinion gears often clash causing lots of noise that telegraphs up the driveshaft and can sound like it's coming from the u joint or transmission.
You'll want to check everything out to make sure it's all ok. In the worst case, you can lose all braking ability, and you don't want that to happen.

Keith

I put in a much tighter U-Joint.
Short test drive around the block.
When I stepped on the brake or let up on the it sounded like the u-joint or something was wanted to jump out.
Well pulled the rear end out again. This is three times in two weekend. I am getting really good at this.
Dropped a nickle to a club member that really knows just about anything T related.
He said don't drive it another foot.
The problem is with the thrust washer has broken.
I had to do a preliminary check on the ring and pinon to verify that they are usable.
This is fell out when the rear axle rotated and spilled all the gear oil that I had just put in.
Now I hope I have place an order for all the necessary replace parts.