SERVICING DRIVE SHAFTS and

UNIVERSAL JOINTS Chapter 6 Page 213 Lab Manual

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YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

Diagnose shaft and universal joint noise and vibration problems and determine needed repairs.

Inspect, service, and replace shaft, yokes, boots, and universal joints.

Inspect, service, and replace shaft center support bearings. CBC

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YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

Check and correct shaft balance. Measure shaft runout. Measure and adjust shaft angles.

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DIAGNOSING DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEMS

Hard “Clunk” or “Clang” when put in gear. “Squeak” “Squeak” “Squeak” at when

taking off from a stop, at slow speed. Find out when the noise is most obvious. Unevenly worn or out-of-balanced tires

can also cause abnormal noise and vibrations. CBC

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ROAD TEST

Verify the customer’s complaint. What speed? What gear? What engine RPM? How much load? Acceleration or Deceleration

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VIBRATIONS

Damaged or dented drive shaft. Undercoating Balance weight fallen off. Incorrect driveline angle. Modified vehicle. Overloaded vehicle.

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NOISES

Abnormal noises are felt as well as heard. “Clunks” “Bangs” Are usually caused by metal to metal

contact and goes away when load is constant.

“Squeaking” is caused by a dry joint.CBC

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CAUSES OF FAILURE

Lack of lubrication. Resulting in grooves worn in trunions.

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LUBRICATING UNIVERSAL JOINTS

Original joints usually do not have zerks. Replacement joints need to be lubricated

regularly.

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