The Ford Barn

Larryejoh · 02-22-2018, 01:36 PM

I have my u-joint out and there is axial side to side play on both axis of the joint. There is at least 1/4 inch or more sideward play. Is this normal?

Terry, NJ · 02-22-2018, 01:45 PM

I'm not clear on exactly what you mean, by 1/4", but 1/4" play has got to be replaced, either now or later. I was told about .004" was pretty much the limit.
Terry

Fast31 · 02-22-2018, 01:46 PM

My u-joint has the same so I would like to know too. It has no play, the shafts slide in the bearings.

Larryejoh · 02-22-2018, 01:51 PM

Yes 1/4. The u- joint cups don’t seem to have any play on the u-joint shaft but if you grasp the front half and rear half it will slide on the shafts outward at least 1/4 back a forth. On a normal open drive shaft u-joint it’s tight and you don’t have any play like this. Is the Model A the same?

Bob C · 02-22-2018, 01:56 PM

Side to side is normal, rotational is not.

Bob

Russ/40 · 02-22-2018, 02:27 PM

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Ditto Bob
Side to side wear is just not a concern in a torque tube setting. Rotational slop is of concern. Stay away from the repair kits that only provide the 4 bushings. You need the cross also. I have witnessed even a small amount of rotational wear goes unnoticed in use.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-22-2018, 02:31 PM

Wear ONLY occurs where the cross pins fit into the cups! The 1/4" side play he described is NORMAL, unlike more "modern" U-Joints.
Bill W.

Larryejoh · 02-22-2018, 04:11 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

02-22-2018, 01:36 PM	#1
Larryejoh Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 44	U-joint inspection I have my u-joint out and there is axial side to side play on both axis of the joint. There is at least 1/4 inch or more sideward play. Is this normal?

02-22-2018, 01:45 PM	#2
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: U-joint inspection I'm not clear on exactly what you mean, by 1/4", but 1/4" play has got to be replaced, either now or later. I was told about .004" was pretty much the limit. Terry

02-22-2018, 01:46 PM	#3
Fast31 Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: The Netherlands Europe Posts: 30	Re: U-joint inspection My u-joint has the same so I would like to know too. It has no play, the shafts slide in the bearings.

02-22-2018, 01:51 PM	#4
Larryejoh Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 44	Re: U-joint inspection Yes 1/4. The u- joint cups don’t seem to have any play on the u-joint shaft but if you grasp the front half and rear half it will slide on the shafts outward at least 1/4 back a forth. On a normal open drive shaft u-joint it’s tight and you don’t have any play like this. Is the Model A the same?

02-22-2018, 01:56 PM	#5
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: U-joint inspection Side to side is normal, rotational is not. Bob

02-22-2018, 02:27 PM	#6
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: U-joint inspection Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ditto Bob Side to side wear is just not a concern in a torque tube setting. Rotational slop is of concern. Stay away from the repair kits that only provide the 4 bushings. You need the cross also. I have witnessed even a small amount of rotational wear goes unnoticed in use.

02-22-2018, 02:31 PM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: U-joint inspection Wear ONLY occurs where the cross pins fit into the cups! The 1/4" side play he described is NORMAL, unlike more "modern" U-Joints. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-22-2018, 04:11 PM	#8
Larryejoh Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 44	Re: U-joint inspection Thanks for all the replies.