U-Joints

[oldestof11]

Ok, so now I have a shudder between 10-15 mph. I am guessing the u-joints rather than the clutch or rear-end because it happens only at 10-15 mph, not just around corners but on the straight aways, not just in 2nd but 3rd also, and no clutch slippage in any gear. Do you think I am right?

What is the best kind to get? I also have some play in the rear-end, about 1/16th of a turn. It is really noticeable when I am shifting and coasting then go to speed up.

Need some info here. Whats the best u-joint to get, how do I fix the play in the rear-end, and if I get in the rear-end, could I put in 3.73's or 3.55's for more mpg's? I know my right foot is connected to the mpg's but will going up in ratio help too? I plan on getting wider tires (265/75 R16's) and pulling at the fair here.

Thanks for any input!

Jon

[Philip]

Go for a drive. After you get back slide under the truck. See if any U-joints are warm to the touch. If one is replace it.

If you have 3:54's you can go all the way up to 4:56 gears with your current carrier. If you have 3:08's then your stuck with that gear.

[oldestof11]

Let me clarify here. I am NOT wanting to put in a bigger gear for stuff like bigger tires but one that would increase MPG's. I have 4:10's right now.

Jon

[Philip]

Ok now you said what your wanting to do. You can drop a set of 3:54's on the current carrier you have. But if your planing on pulling with the truck. The 4:10's would most likely be better.

A 1/16th of a turn is quite a bit of end play. Our rear axle normaly should have around .0010th's back lash. This is the play you feel in drive shaft slop.

[gman07]

I'm in the same situation. I have a squeak in reverse as well as quite a bit of driveshaft slop. What U-joints do these trucks have? (I remember there was some number, maybe 1410?) Can heavier ones be purchased and installed easily and relatively inexpensively?

[Philip]

Our trucks take the 1410 series U-joints for the rear drive shaft. The front axle on the 4x4's take a smaller U-joint. I haven't replaced one yet so I don't know the series it takes.

I normaly use U-joints from NAPA. They run around $20. or so each.

[dpuckett]

The spider gears can also give the illusion of excessive backlash- they will turn inside the carrier. the best way to check backlash is to pull the rear cover and get out the dial indicator.

I get only Spicer u-joints. I think the last ones I bought were around $20, too.

Daniel