14 Mar 08, 07:06 pm
78calico Wrote:..Sometimes you have a little better luck finding them if you jack the wheels off the ground and put the transmission in neutral. Also if you're checking the rear make sure the parking brake is not engaged...
It was. I've never seen a u-joint blow like this one did and stay so tight. The other 3 caps were still solid.:confused: The vibration wasn't noticeable until over 25 mph or so and then only with accelleration. I got to thinking it was just the tires getting worn and rumbling. I couldn't see or feel the slop in the shaft by grabbing, shaking, twisting by hand. I just happened to see the seal was gone and the rust under the cap was barely visible.
Oh yeah, I'll now always pop the caps off of new u-joints and inspect before installing. I got one new from Napa that had missing and mismatched needle bearings under 1 of the caps. Almost didn't catch it.