The Ford Barn

newshirt · 10-10-2017, 04:25 PM

There is about 1/8 inch play in the four shaft ends of my U-joint. And, the shafts are no longer round. (see attached pic)

I'm thinking it's time to retire. Your thoughts? And don't laugh.

Patrick L. · 10-10-2017, 05:38 PM

I don't think I'd retire just because of a bad u-joint, but, that one has seen better days. [ smiley face]

Barry B./ Ma. · 10-10-2017, 05:51 PM

Looks about ready to blow! Must have been noisey.

newshirt · 10-10-2017, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

Looks about ready to blow! Must have been noisey.

Strangely, I never heard a peep out of it. I'm just going in to change the clutch, which chattered like heck.

Anteek29 · 10-10-2017, 07:07 PM

Uh, oh

Tom Wesenberg · 10-10-2017, 08:43 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You're lucky to live close to Bert's. Go buy a new or good used joint, and clutch parts.

That joint ain't fit for the road, and is way past time to replace it.

goodcar · 10-10-2017, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

You're lucky to live close to Bert's. Go buy a new or good used joint, and clutch parts.

That joint ain't fit for the road, and is way past time to replace it.

Ditto

Synchro909 · 10-10-2017, 09:25 PM

I've heard that the modern replacement unis are not very good even if they fit. Is there another option other than Bert's, like maybe rebuilding them?

newshirt · 10-10-2017, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

You're lucky to live close to Bert's. Go buy a new or good used joint, and clutch parts.

That joint ain't fit for the road, and is way past time to replace it.

Steve Becker is sending a good original.

KGBnut · 10-11-2017, 07:58 AM

Mine was a helluva lot worse than that one when I finally replaced it. The two riveted halves were looser, and the bearing surface on one shaft was nearly half gone. It was all caused because I didn't realize just how much of the right kind of grease those things need.

I now carry the worn out one in my trunk for show-and-tell when people ask about repairs and maintenance.

Ken

abachman3 · 10-12-2017, 11:18 AM

Aw come on... run it 'til it's broke!

Barry B./ Ma. · 10-12-2017, 12:09 PM

Check 29 Cabriolet further down, he did.

glenn in camino · 10-12-2017, 07:50 PM

Add lots of grease in the fitting under the U joint.

Tom Wesenberg · 10-12-2017, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abachman3

Aw come on... run it 'til it's broke!

For sure! What the heck.........a little play didn't stop this guy.

Christoph · 10-13-2017, 02:46 AM

The rivetet version is not to be rebuilt !!!
Once you see damage , there is no doubt...

Test (if you see no damage):
Hold the U-joint at one end and shake it.
Once it wobbles without resistance and you hear noises....
ITS TIME TO REPLACE !

The "new" parts to be sold by the vendors are not best quality.
(Any new junk will be even better than the ones in those pics.)
Use lots of grease !

Have fun
Chris

I replaced the U-joint in my car with a "new" snyders U-joint 5 years ago.
Even it looked like a strange rough log, its still "alive"

frank55a · 10-13-2017, 09:57 AM

I have a good U-Joint for sale on the Swap Meet page.

denniskliesen · 10-13-2017, 10:54 AM

Victim of grease worms...

KGBnut · 10-15-2017, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

For sure! What the heck.........a little play didn't stop this guy.

Tom, mine actually looked a bit worse than that one...

Ken

1crosscut · 10-15-2017, 12:09 PM

Couldn't be much worse that the one that was in my truck when I found it.

Synchro909 · 10-15-2017, 04:25 PM

I've just acquired a RHD 1933/4 gearbox (very rare over here) and it has the U joint still on it. Will it fit a Model A? It's not in bad condition and looks like it should fit.

10-10-2017, 05:38 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: U-joint Play I don't think I'd retire just because of a bad u-joint, but, that one has seen better days. [ smiley face]

10-10-2017, 05:51 PM	#3
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: U-joint Play Looks about ready to blow! Must have been noisey.

10-10-2017, 07:07 PM	#5
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 1,025	Re: U-joint Play Uh, oh __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

10-10-2017, 08:43 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: U-joint Play Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You're lucky to live close to Bert's. Go buy a new or good used joint, and clutch parts. That joint ain't fit for the road, and is way past time to replace it.

10-10-2017, 09:25 PM	#8
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,432	Re: U-joint Play I've heard that the modern replacement unis are not very good even if they fit. Is there another option other than Bert's, like maybe rebuilding them? __________________ When all is said and done, more is said than done. That's why we judge people on what they do, not what they say. I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. If I am not in trouble, I've done something wrong.

10-11-2017, 07:58 AM	#10
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 934	Re: U-joint Play Mine was a helluva lot worse than that one when I finally replaced it. The two riveted halves were looser, and the bearing surface on one shaft was nearly half gone. It was all caused because I didn't realize just how much of the right kind of grease those things need. I now carry the worn out one in my trunk for show-and-tell when people ask about repairs and maintenance. Ken __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

10-12-2017, 11:18 AM	#11
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 324	Re: U-joint Play Aw come on... run it 'til it's broke!

10-12-2017, 12:09 PM	#12
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: U-joint Play Check 29 Cabriolet further down, he did.

10-12-2017, 07:50 PM	#13
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: U-joint Play Add lots of grease in the fitting under the U joint.

10-13-2017, 02:46 AM	#15
Christoph Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main in Germany Posts: 671	Re: U-joint Play The rivetet version is not to be rebuilt !!! Once you see damage , there is no doubt... Test (if you see no damage): Hold the U-joint at one end and shake it. Once it wobbles without resistance and you hear noises.... ITS TIME TO REPLACE ! The "new" parts to be sold by the vendors are not best quality. (Any new junk will be even better than the ones in those pics.) Use lots of grease ! Have fun Chris I replaced the U-joint in my car with a "new" snyders U-joint 5 years ago. Even it looked like a strange rough log, its still "alive"

10-13-2017, 09:57 AM	#16
frank55a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,008	Re: U-joint Play I have a good U-Joint for sale on the Swap Meet page.

10-13-2017, 10:54 AM	#17
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: U-joint Play Victim of grease worms...

10-15-2017, 04:25 PM	#20
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,432	Re: U-joint Play I've just acquired a RHD 1933/4 gearbox (very rare over here) and it has the U joint still on it. Will it fit a Model A? It's not in bad condition and looks like it should fit. __________________ When all is said and done, more is said than done. That's why we judge people on what they do, not what they say. I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. If I am not in trouble, I've done something wrong.