sonicsix

I installed a new rear u-joint and straps yesterday on my 99 Cherokee 4x4 with a Chrysler 8.25 rear end. The reason I replaced the old u-joint was the fact that there was play in it and it was clicking all the time and wearing the straps.

Well, the new one does the same thing! I made a video of the play in it, you can see it at http://youtu.be/KJO20KyvpT0

The video is only 9 seconds long. When I use my finger to push on one end of the u-joint (not an end where the spring clips are), there is movement. And when I drive it clicks like crazy.

Is this normal? If not, how do I fix it? Will it hurt anything if left as it is? Thanks for any info you can share.

Metalgearmurder

Kinda looks like maybe you lost some needle bearings to me.... they are tricky bastards and dont always stay in place when setting the caps.

sonicsix

I made very sure to keep all the needle bearings in place during assembly. The play is an up and down movement, as you can see in the video. Almost as if the caps do not go down far enough on the main part.

JamDeeper

Looks to me like you need a new knuckle kind sir. this happened to me but about 10 times worse and i would go through about a ujoint a day. they are supposed to be solid, and if the knuckle is warn away at all. then the straps wont be able to hold it down tight because the distance from strap to knuckle is too big for the ujoint to fit tight. they arent too bad to replace. just the one big nut holding it on the diff. i picked mine up from six states for i think 42 bucks? not too bad.

sonicsix

Thank you! Based on your reply and a little more checking, I definitely do need a new pinion yoke. Time to go shopping... LOL.

JamDeeper

Your Lucky it wasn't like mine! Everyday I'd hear it pop. And then I couldn't go over 35 before it started shaking like mad cuz the joint blew and offset the driveline ha. Good early catch!

sonicsix

The new pinion yoke arrived today and I had it installed (I don't have the tools for the job). The old yoke was very obviously worn. I installed a new u-joint and new straps from Autozone and the u-joint still wiggles! It only wiggles where the straps are and not where it is pressed into the drive shaft. It's like the u-joint is a hair too short to fit in the pinion yoke tightly. Any ideas?

EDIT: Autozone Part # for U-joint: 1-0153DG

sonicsix

OK, I went to Napa and got an American made u-joint and American made straps and the problem is solved. Autozone was kind enough to give me my money back on the Chinese parts.

JamDeeper

Very nice. That little bit of slack in the straps is bad news!