Universal Joint & Flange: Inspection
NOTE:
When any part of the journal assembly (spider, needle roller bearing, grease fitting) requires replacement, be sure to replace the entire assembly.
- Check the following parts for wear, damage, noise or any other abnormal conditions:
- Spider
- Needle roller bearing
- Yoke
- Flange
- Inspect the outside diameter of the spider pin. See Fig 1. The standard diameter is 0.727 in. (18.46 mm) and the wear limit is 0.723 in. (18.36 mm). Replace U-joint if wear exceeds limit.
- Inspect drive shaft run-out. Support the ends of the drive shaft on V-blocks and check for run-out by holding the probe of a dial indicator in contact with the center part of the shaft. See Fig 2. If the amount of run-out is beyond the standard value for assembly, correct with a bench press or replace the shaft with a new one. The standard is 0.012 in. (0.3 mm) and the limit is 0.020 (0.50 mm).
- Inspect for excessive play in splines of slip yoke in normal direction of rotation. Check the amount of play between the sleeve yoke and the drive shaft spline in the direction of rotation, using a pointed feeler gauge. See Fig 3. The standard is 0.003-0.006 in. (0.073-0.156 mm) and the wear limit is 0.012 in. (0.3 mm).
- Inspect the play in the universal joint. The wear limit is 0.004 in. (0.1 mm). If the play exceeds the wear limit, replace the universal joint.