clicking ujoints

[redrunner52]

replaced u joints over a year and a half ago, every couple of months they start clicking, I get them greased up, the quiet down three or four months later clicking, and more grease. every time I get them greased up I have the mechanic check them , they tell me they are good and tight, no play or looseness. even took them to local Toyota dealer had them check, they said they were good to go. so what's up with my
u joints, NO VIBRATIONS AT ALL JUST CLICKING anyone have a clue.
I can't believe they are bad and still in place after a year and a half
1997 238 thousand plus miles
Thanks Mike

 

[StreetCreeper]

replaced u joints over a year and a half ago, every couple of months they start clicking, I get them greased up, the quiet down three or four months later clicking, and more grease. every time I get them greased up I have the mechanic check them , they tell me they are good and tight, no play or looseness. even took them to local Toyota dealer had them check, they said they were good to go. so what's up with my
u joints, NO VIBRATIONS AT ALL JUST CLICKING anyone have a clue.
I can't believe they are bad and still in place after a year and a half
1997 238 thousand plus miles
Thanks Mike

Are you sure it's the U-joints and not the yokes clicking? I'm assuming you grease everything down there including the slip yokes?

My rear slip yoke will start clunking every couple months until I get under and grease everything again.

I think summertime heat makes the grease get used up quicker.

Just a thought...

 

[nissanh]

Do you have OEM U-joints? Others fail pretty fast. I think one or two cups are not getting grease and the bearing is already cutting its grove.

 

[nevada]

Do you have OEM U-joints? Others fail pretty fast. I think one or two cups are not getting grease and the bearing is already cutting its grove.

i would 2nd this.

u-joints are one of those things, that if done CORRECTLY, will last a very long time. however done incorrectly, can fail much too soon.

it doesn't seem like it, but they are fairly technical to do correctly. most people do NOT do them correctly.

 

[JayRolla]

Toyota doesnt sell OEM u joints for these things, they only sell driveshaft as one. You can research and find OEM quality but only for the rear. The front double cardan joint (cv joint) does not have OEM quality replacements. There is a shop that used OEM parts from another toyota cv shaft to rebuild the double cardan but he does not release that info. He quoted me I think around $150 for full rebuild.

Needless to say I found a good used one at junkyard. So far so good.