I have had some slight vibes coming from the front end for quite some time now. I was under my Jeep the other day and noticed that my passenger side axle ujoint is missing the cap. Obviously the needle bearings are missing and the ujoint wobbles when I move the wheel. Whats weird is that the cap doesnt seem to be completely missing. Its like just the top broke off and got spit out and the sides are still there. It was a newer spicer ujoint too. So obviously I am getting the ujoint replaced today. But is there anything wrong with my axle/spindle to cause the ujoint to break like that? Is it a good idea to have the cap spot welded or a fender washer welded over the cap like I found in other threads to prevent this from happening? Or should this not be happening in the first place? Any cons to spot welding a washer over the cap?

 

Nothing wrong with spot welding a washer over it.

The caps are easy to bust. I'd guess the previous installer whacked the cap just a bit too hard and 'injured' it. It just finally gave up.

 

Thanks again.