• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

u-joint failures

  • Thread starter Thread starter 72 fastback
  • Start date Start date Apr 4, 2006

72 fastback

Member
Apr 4, 2006
146
3
19
Hamden Ct
Apr 4, 2006
#1
  • Apr 4, 2006
  • #1
I have a 1972 mustang fastang with a 4 speed. I was breaking u-joints every time the car wheel hop badly. The needle bearing were getting wasted due to the fact that the u-joint was getting chewed up and no longer round. This was happening only at the caps that go in to rear yoke. I have discovered I only had a 1 degree positive pinion angle. I then installed a 2 degree wedge and it seemed to make a major difference. My pinion angle is between 4 and 5 degree. I also installed traction bars. If I drive car extremely hard it will still damage u-joints. Burnouts and mild powershifting don't seem to effect on short term. Also get high speed vibrations, which I bielieve is due to wimpy trans mount. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Is there any manufacture that makes a polyurathane trans mount for a stick car. It has to mount to trans in center like the origanal.
 

12sec67

Active Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,301
1
36
San Diego, Ca
Apr 4, 2006
#2
  • Apr 4, 2006
  • #2
did you have the vibration before installing the wedge because it could be due to that.
i think i heard differently..you should have a negative degree pinion angle (-2 or -3) not the other way around.

energy suspension makes polyurathene trans mounts.
 

72 fastback

Member
Apr 4, 2006
146
3
19
Hamden Ct
Apr 4, 2006
#3
  • Apr 4, 2006
  • #3
I may be mixed up with the positive or negative pinion angle. My drive shaft was almost in a straight line before installing wedge. Now it is around 4 dergress pointing down.
 

72 fastback

Member
Apr 4, 2006
146
3
19
Hamden Ct
Apr 4, 2006
#4
  • Apr 4, 2006
  • #4
There doesn't seem to be an appliction for my car from energy suspension 72 mustang trans mount
 

thehueypilot

Active Member
Feb 25, 2004
1,084
0
37
Medina,Tennessee
Apr 5, 2006
#5
  • Apr 5, 2006
  • #5
My car was eating rear u-joints until I figured out that I had the wrong u-joint installed for the pinion yoke I was running. It looked close but was the wrong one. I showed it to a driveshaft builder and he thought the yoke was worn but after sleeping on it he found out it was the wrong u-joint for that yoke which caused it to walk around just enough to put it in a bind and destroy in very short order. It was an 8" rear end and the yoke came from Currie enterprises which puts these unusual yokes in there third members, but the correct u-joint was found and problem solved.
 

72 fastback

Member
Apr 4, 2006
146
3
19
Hamden Ct
Apr 5, 2006
#6
  • Apr 5, 2006
  • #6
thanks thehuey pilot my third member has a small yoke on it that takes a 1 1/16 cap and it it a 9" rear there may be something there. I thuoght mine was wore out too. But if i slide my rear backward and hold presuure it doesn,t seem to walk.That is before I tighten U bolts.
 

72 fastback

Member
Apr 4, 2006
146
3
19
Hamden Ct
Apr 5, 2006
#7
  • Apr 5, 2006
  • #7
That is if I slide drives shaft back towards rear. Even if I tighten u bolts a little it doesn't seem to move. but it might under heavy loads. thanks again.
 
M

MitchGT

Member
Apr 1, 2005
204
0
17
Apr 6, 2006
#8
  • Apr 6, 2006
  • #8
Are you tightening the u-bolts to spec? Maybe overtightening is distorting the caps?
 
D

davishokies

20+ Year Stangneter
Jul 27, 2004
20
0
1
Stafford, VA
Apr 6, 2006
#9
  • Apr 6, 2006
  • #9
What is the symtoms of worn u-joints? Do they make a noise? I've replaced (rebuilt 8" on 68 Coupe) my third member about 3000 miles ago because it was whining. I now have a low pitch wa..wa..wa at low speeds. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but any info would be appreicated.
 

72 fastback

Member
Apr 4, 2006
146
3
19
Hamden Ct
Apr 6, 2006
#10
  • Apr 6, 2006
  • #10
Hey mitchgt do you know the torque specs by any chance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Drivetrain 8.8 Pinion and 302 rear main seal leaks after replacing. 93 5.0 with t-5
  • Steigy4827
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
613
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 1, 2026
Steigy4827
S
3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
502
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
Engine 1990 LX 5.0L EFI Mustang Fuel Management Problems - HELP!
  • 5.0LXStanger
  • May 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 11, 2025
5.0LXStanger
SOLD SOLD!!!! 1993 Notchback Roadracer For Sale. She's a beast!
  • Boydster
  • Apr 25, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Apr 25, 2025
Boydster
E
Finished my Fox Hydroboost Install - Tips
  • Engineer Duane
  • Apr 9, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 5, 2025
Engineer Duane
E
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?