how harmfull is a loose u-joint?

[CB]

Speaking in terms of " ok, you can still (test)drive but don't push it" or "solve that problem,... NOW!"
Thanks CB

[Charger1973]

I would not take any chances.  I lost a driveshaft once, luckily it was the rear joint that went and it didnt bang around much, just shot off into the ditch with no real damage...  Still scary...  U joints are such a cheap/easy thing to fix, I would just get it over with. 

[mikepmcs]

Solve that problem NOW!!!

CB, If you already can tell it's a u joint, that means you better fix it because if it comes loose then you driveshaft comes loose and bammo, holes in the floor board, new driveshaft, you get the idea.  The alternative is not pretty to spending the 15 bucks on a new u joint.

v/r
Mike

[tan top]

     don't take any chances  .

[CB]

thanks guys, I will order a new joint next week, the 69 is now tucked away till she gets a new joint

[bull]

It will cause damage. It could just put dents in your floor pans or it could tear up brake and fuel lines or pole vault your car if it's the front one.

[GTX]

My GTX has a few small holes, actually tears in the floor and also some assorted dents where the drive line let loose and began flopping around.
The owners solution was to weld the straps onto the yoke!

I had lots-o-fun grinding and cutting and then cleaning that up so I could fix his jury rigging. I had one break once just as I let the clutch out. Since I was going very slow not much happened except I was stuck walking to Checker for a new one and then laying in the gutter under the car where the car broke and fixing it. It also sheered off one of the strap bolts but I was able to back it out.

[tecmopar]

I see that you already stated that it will sit until fixed, which is a smart move. I've seen blow out not only dent up the floor but I've had to replace a few tailshaft housings for people, both 4 speeds and auto's so its really not worth driving at all until repaired, good luck.

[CB]

painfull stories

Oooh Man!!! I took a big risc to keep driving her this way. The joint had to be bad since the day I got her but I never paid attention to it.
She sat in a barn from 1993 til 2005. No wonder it now starts to come apart left and right 

I read it's no biggie to replace a u-joint so it will be fixed ASAP
Thanks for your advise guys.
CB

[Chatt69chgr]

Autozone has good replacement u-joints if you select the right ones.  I think the ones I got were Brute-Force made by Neapco.  But they had another good one too.  Seems like they were both made by the same manufacturer.  In fact, Autozone has been surprising on some of the good replacement parts they have had.  And I don't mean the Duralast brand they push.  They have name brand stuff too.  You usually have to have it ordered in but I don't mind waiting on good parts-----and they were cheaper to boot.

[mikepmcs]

Do they have Autozones in Belgium?

[CB]

Do they have Autozones in Belgium?

nope, my local Moparts shop will provide me.

[squeakfinder]

Not to mention the damage a loose u joint can do to the yokes.

Myth Busters actually did get a front u joint to brake on a radio controlled (Chrysler?). It did send the back end of the car in the air.

[Ghoste]

I missed that one.  So obviously, the myth was that breaking a front would catapult a car?

[squeakfinder]

After several attempts, they got the back of the car to jump up a couple of feet.

Here's a link to some info on that episode.


http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/03/mythbusters_exploding_portapot.html

[Jon Smith]

I broke my trans casing in half when my rear u joint failed and I lost my driveshaft
the trans fell in two when it was removed later