U-Joints? Help my Diagnosis!

[atalarico]

This is the closest thread I can find to my issue. Very similar to OPs but with one distinction...the vibrations only happen when I'm in 4hi. I thought it was wheel balance but that has been ruled out.

Would it still be drive shaft issues if it's only happening when in 4wd? I know my rear t case output seal looks leaky, so that's on my list soon.

 

[GangsterOfLove]

Well I finally found the time on a saturday and got to work at it! My issue with diagnosis was that i kept leaving it in gear when I'd move the shaft! :ybrick:
So i went down there in neutral and discovered that the rear u-joint is absolutely ****ed. Close to broken and half and dropping my driveshaft on the highway....
So i popped off the slip yoke and now I'm gonna bring it to my mechanic to swap in a new ujoint!
Thanks so much for the help guys!!

Thanks for coming back with the final report. Glad it worked out for you. :thumb:

 

[OldManKamps]

This is the closest thread I can find to my issue. Very similar to OPs but with one distinction...the vibrations only happen when I'm in 4hi. I thought it was wheel balance but that has been ruled out.

Would it still be drive shaft issues if it's only happening when in 4wd? I know my rear t case output seal looks leaky, so that's on my list soon.

For sure it would happen in 4WD!! Check your front u-joints! If you're experiencing the same symptoms but in 4WD, then chances are it's the same issue u-joints!

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[atalarico]

For sure it would happen in 4WD!! Check your front u-joints! If you're experiencing the same symptoms but in 4WD, then chances are it's the same issue u-joints!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

God I hope so! It sounds like it's an easy fix. Thanks!

 

[OldManKamps]

I pulled the slip yoke and brought it to my mechanic, he said the part was $40 and he could do it for about $40 to $50. $90 Canadian to fix it works for me

 

[JayRolla]

I pulled the slip yoke and brought it to my mechanic, he said the part was $40 and he could do it for about $40 to $50. $90 Canadian to fix it works for me

Hope he uses Oem u joints.

 

[OldManKamps]

Hope he uses Oem u joints.

Ya? Do you think that'll be a problem if he doesn't?

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[atalarico]

Hope he uses Oem u joints.

Are ASIN considered OEM? I was looking around online today and found a bunch of different makes at RockAuto but wasn't sure which was OEM and which wasn't.

 

[OldManKamps]

Well the new U-joint is in!! Unfortunately, I used permanent marker for my match marks like a bozo and they rubbed off from the mechanic doing his stuff. So I made sure the grease fittings were facing the right way, and the yokes were all the same direction and slid that bad boy on. Bolted and torqued down to spec.

Let me tell you guys. If you suspect a u-joint, FIX IT!!!! What an unbelievable difference. UNBELIEVABLE. I had a clunk when coming off the clutch, lurching in reverse, vibrations at every speed, loud over bumps, sway on the highway, and rougher shifting. ITS ALL GONE NOW!! I feel like I'm driving a sports car

 

[JayRolla]

Are ASIN considered OEM? I was looking around online today and found a bunch of different makes at RockAuto but wasn't sure which was OEM and which wasn't.

I knew those are Oem quality. Can't remember who made the oem.

 

[I_bRAD]

Well the new U-joint is in!! Unfortunately, I used permanent marker for my match marks like a bozo and they rubbed off from the mechanic doing his stuff. So I made sure the grease fittings were facing the right way, and the yokes were all the same direction and slid that bad boy on. Bolted and torqued down to spec.

Let me tell you guys. If you suspect a u-joint, FIX IT!!!! What an unbelievable difference. UNBELIEVABLE. I had a clunk when coming off the clutch, lurching in reverse, vibrations at every speed, loud over bumps, sway on the highway, and rougher shifting. ITS ALL GONE NOW!! I feel like I'm driving a sports car

Amazing what you get used to and consider normal until you change the u-joint!

 

[atalarico]

Amazing what you get used to and consider normal until you change the u-joint!

This is what I'm hoping for! U joints just got real high on the list! For less than $20 new or whatever, and a couple hours work, I figure it's worth trying.

 

[atalarico]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but does anyone have the Toyota Part Number for U Joints?

I found these at Camelback, but not sure if they're right. https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/1997/Toyota/4Runner/Limited/index.cfm?siteid=214329

Is it really worth $55 over the $20 non-OEM ones?

 

[gshphoto]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but does anyone have the Toyota Part Number for U Joints?

I found these at Camelback, but not sure if they're right. https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/1997/Toyota/4Runner/Limited/index.cfm?siteid=214329

Is it really worth $55 over the $20 non-OEM ones?

I would go OEM or spicer.

 

[gshphoto]

Have you greased them? Id try that first, and if you still have the vibs after greasing them then Id replace. U-joints are cake to replace. Its like a 15-20 min trail fix.

What method did you use to pop everything out without bending the yolk?

 

[OscarMike]

Similar problem, back again.

Hey everybody 1st post here. Came over from a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and am sold on 4Runner! Anyway, I've to a similar issue going on. Droning vibration coming from driveshaft area at highway speeds. Took advice on here and checked the U-joints on my 2wd 4Runner. U-joints had play, so replaced both with moog options. Problem solved! No vibration or droning sound... For about a month. Could this be a problem with the driveshaft itself causing the u-joints to go bad?

 

[GangsterOfLove]

Hey everybody 1st post here. Came over from a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and am sold on 4Runner! Anyway, I've to a similar issue going on. Droning vibration coming from driveshaft area at highway speeds. Took advice on here and checked the U-joints on my 2wd 4Runner. U-joints had play, so replaced both with moog options. Problem solved! No vibration or droning sound... For about a month. Could this be a problem with the driveshaft itself causing the u-joints to go bad?

Maybe. I'd have the shop that did the work check for part failure/loose fasteners and have the driveshaft balanced.

 

[OscarMike]

Just thought I would update my vibration issue. Turned out all of my tires were all out of balance. I had Discount tires balance my tires 4 times within the last year. New tires and rims are not bent. Had an independent shop balance the tires today, and guess what, no more vibration! Really bothers me that I went through a rear of driving with a vibration because Discount tire CAN'T balance tires that they sell!

 

[tH1e swiN1e]

What method did you use to pop everything out without bending the yolk?

Sorry but Im confused as to what you are asking?

I just remove the driveshaft from the vehicle and then remove the joints.

 

[mtbtim]

Just thought I would update my vibration issue. Turned out all of my tires were all out of balance. I had Discount tires balance my tires 4 times within the last year. New tires and rims are not bent. Had an independent shop balance the tires today, and guess what, no more vibration! Really bothers me that I went through a rear of driving with a vibration because Discount tire CAN'T balance tires that they sell!

That's good to know about Discount Tires. I wonder if they were even doing the balancing for you. Or, maybe they were and the techs working there are morons or the machine they are using is way off. If I were you, I'd let Discount Tire know about your experience because there's probably a ton more people driving down the road with out of balance wheels due to their shop. You'll be doing the shop and their customers a big favor by letting them know.

I used Big O for a many years and had good luck with them but the tire store I like now is America's Tires. America's Tires has good prices and good service from my experience.