• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

U-Joints

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Green GT
  • Start date Start date May 16, 2007

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 16, 2007
#1
  • May 16, 2007
  • #1
I think I have a bad u-joint. All I need to do it check for slack right?

And are there some upgraded ones I can put in when i change them?
 
R

Rjovi

Member
May 4, 2005
44
0
6
Co
May 16, 2007
#2
  • May 16, 2007
  • #2
joints

Not really, if one or more of the caps are rusted inside it will be seized.....so no slop at all. It is best to take it out and make sure they both move in both directions. The joints you have are the best you can get, they are made by dana/spicer and are solid non-greasable. I own a driveline shop so I see all brands of joints, spicer still makes the best hands down. That's why when you buy an American car you usually never have to change joints till around 150,000 miles unless a cap prematurely failes. After you change it you are changing every 10,000 if you put in a greasable.

Please take my advise, do not put in greasable U joints, they are weaker(since the are hollow) and the seals suck (the grease has to be able to escape when over greased). If you have any questons you can call me, I will be happy to help


Drive Line Service of Boulder
303 447-1641
Ron
 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 16, 2007
#3
  • May 16, 2007
  • #3
Ok so I guess Im going non greasable. Thanks


As far as play, how much should the DS move between the ring and pinion when the car is in neutral?
 

True 5.0

Member
Sep 22, 2006
237
0
17
Southeastern Wisconsin
May 16, 2007
#4
  • May 16, 2007
  • #4
For the $40 it'll cost you to put in a good set of U-joints, don't waste your time taking the old ones out and putting them back in. Just replace them.
 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 16, 2007
#5
  • May 16, 2007
  • #5
True 5.0 said:
For the $40 it'll cost you to put in a good set of U-joints, don't waste your time taking the old ones out and putting them back in. Just replace them.
Click to expand...

If I do take them out, I will replace them, Im just trying to make sure that it it them.
 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 16, 2007
#6
  • May 16, 2007
  • #6
Also all four of my DS bolts were loose.

Im assuming that was the problem. I could actually take them out with my hand.

And I put those damn things on with an impact.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
May 16, 2007
#7
  • May 16, 2007
  • #7
The DS to companion flange bolts have threadlock from the factory and a torque spec of almost 100 ft-lbs IIRC. DEFINITELY thead lock them in.

Ron, outstanding advice. You hit the nail on the head about the rust inside. The first U-joint I ever lost as a very young man was in this capacity. No slop but I'd get a chirp from the joint. That was it.

I didnt realize there was such a big difference in greaseable vs non-greaseable joints myself. I will use only non-greaseable after your advice.

One quick question Ron: if a guy is stuck doing greaseable joints, you want to have the zerk fitting in one orientation, don't ya? It has something to do with the direction of loading or something to that effect IIRC. Does that ring a bell? It's something I thought I once knew but cannot remember anymore.
 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 16, 2007
#8
  • May 16, 2007
  • #8
Yea Im gonna need to get on a lift or something and go get some loc tite.
 

True 5.0

Member
Sep 22, 2006
237
0
17
Southeastern Wisconsin
May 16, 2007
#9
  • May 16, 2007
  • #9
HISSIN50 said:
if a guy is stuck doing greaseable joints, you want to have the zerk fitting in one orientation, don't ya? It has something to do with the direction of loading or something to that effect IIRC. Does that ring a bell? It's something I thought I once knew but cannot remember anymore.
Click to expand...
Yes. you will want to orient the zerk so that as the DS turns, it gets compressed between the shaft & differential yokes.
 

Bosko5.0

Active Member
May 18, 2006
1,067
0
37
longwood, FL
May 16, 2007
#10
  • May 16, 2007
  • #10
didn;t someone do a gear change recently
 
R

Rjovi

Member
May 4, 2005
44
0
6
Co
May 17, 2007
#11
  • May 17, 2007
  • #11
True 5.0 said:
Yes. you will want to orient the zerk so that as the DS turns, it gets compressed between the shaft & differential yokes.
Click to expand...

Bingo, when a joint breaks it usually breaks where it is tapped for the zerk, a driveshaft turns counter clockwise(if you are facing forward, behind the car) so jsu picture the tranny yoke turning and the shaft staying put and put the joint on the compression side...the back will be a qurter turn on the other side.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
May 17, 2007
#12
  • May 17, 2007
  • #12
I think I got it. Thanks True 5.0 and Ron.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ball Joints Question
  • 93gtmustang
  • Aug 28, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
381
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 13, 2025
AeroCoupe
D
96 get convertible-sell or part out?
  • DTCstang
  • May 17, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
5
Views
69
What is it Worth?!?!? May 18, 2026
nickyb
Sloppy steering wheel
  • cnorman31
  • Nov 1, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
244
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 2, 2025
Monkeybutt2000
M
S
Car shakes when taking off help???
  • STANKYstangs
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
185
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 27, 2026
LILCBRA
K
2000 3.8 v6
  • Kinglife2121
  • Nov 2, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
95
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Nov 2, 2025
Kinglife2121
K
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 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?