Universal Joints of Propeller Shaft

**Tham** · 22-05-2006, 04:41 PM

May I ask what kind of symptoms are evident
when the universal joints of the propeller shaft,
particularly the one connected to the rear axle,
start getting old (not really loose, but just starting
to wear out) ?

I'm getting an cyclic-type of mild grinding noise, kind
of like a noisy airconditioning compressor unit one
hears installed on the outside of a building, from the
rear axle area around 50 to 60 km/h. (30-35 mph),
which I think might be that universal joint . Both
joints were replaced some 10 years ago, and I think
the old ones caused a similar kind of noise at that time.

The rear axle has been noisy for many years, but the
noise from there is more of a constant grind at
70 - 80 km/h (45-50 mph).

The mechanic did check out both joints a couple of
days back, but he said they did not seem really loose.
The mechanics in Malaysia call these joints
"couplings" in their jargon.

**barned01** · 22-05-2006, 04:53 PM

I experienced a 'clunk' on ffirst take off.
then it developed to a rumbling during slow speed travel.
Then it developed into a nice massaging vibration at around 60 or so.
That was the middle uni joint in my car though.

**hemi twofifteen turbo** · 22-05-2006, 04:56 PM

It's definatly tail shaft related. What type of car is it?
The diff will whine if it's old but that's about it, it does not intoduce any sort of vibration.
if it's a 2 piece tailshaft it could also be the centre bearing.
I'm assuming it's a single piece, so in that case it's either 1 or both of the uni's are worn out, (10 years is a long time) or even maybe a gearbox mount ripped and making the box not point straight towards the diff. Or even a dint, or something stuck to the tailshaft causing it to be out of balance. If it happened slowly i'd be more inclined to say the uni joints, if it was all of a sudden something must have happened to your shaft to put it off balance.
Hope this helps, good luck

**cambelt** · 22-05-2006, 07:35 PM

unis at the begining of tiedness , get a funny squeek in them , a back and foward type of squeek.

**love ke70** · 22-05-2006, 07:43 PM

its not something as simple as a drum brake out of shape and catching is it?
you could always pull the uni out and see how it feels, or swap it and see if it goes away. likely due the change anyway

**RobertoX** · 22-05-2006, 08:19 PM

I'm getting an cyclic-type of mild grinding noise

I got a noise that I would describe exactly as this when one of my rear wheel bearings had worn out, the frequency increased with road speed and above about 70ks was inaudible.

solution was to replace rear wheel bearings

**Tham** · 23-05-2006, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by hemi twofifteen turbo

It's definatly tail shaft related. What type of car is it?
The diff will whine if it's old but that's about it, it does not intoduce any sort of vibration.
if it's a 2 piece tailshaft it could also be the centre bearing.
I'm assuming it's a single piece, so in that case it's either 1 or both of the uni's are worn out, (10 years is a long time) or even maybe a gearbox mount ripped and making the box not point straight towards the diff. Or even a dint, or something stuck to the tailshaft causing it to be out of balance. If it happened slowly i'd be more inclined to say the uni joints, if it was all of a sudden something must have happened to your shaft to put it off balance.
Hope this helps, good luck

It's a Corolla KE70, 1981 model.

It's a single-piece long shaft. The cyclic-type
noise came on suddenly last week. More audible
sometimes, at times softer. Below 50 km/h, and
above 60 km/h, it is not really audible.

I'll get the propeller shaft and the universal
joints checked more thoroughly again. Thanks
for the info.

**Tham** · 23-05-2006, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by love ke70

its not something as simple as a drum brake out of shape and catching is it?
you could always pull the uni out and see how it feels, or swap it and see if it goes away. likely due the change anyway

Thanks. I'll get the brake drums checked out
as well as the joints. Pads are pretty old too,
about 4 or 5 years, I think, time for replacement.
Wow, owning a car is a never-ending expense,
especially an old one.

You're right, I might as well replace the universal
joints, 10 years has been long enough.

**Tham** · 23-05-2006, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by RobertoX

I got a noise that I would describe exactly as this when one of my rear wheel bearings had worn out, the frequency increased with road speed and above about 70ks was inaudible.

solution was to replace rear wheel bearings

Wow, I better get the rear wheel bearings
checked out too.

Haven't been replaced in years, I think.
Thanks.