Certain auto parts, like shocks, have an easier time with lifespan predictions. But not u-joints. U-joints may fail while the car is still brand-new or they may last for decades. For this reason, it's a good idea to inspect the u-joints each time you replace the oil. A rear-wheel drive car usually features two or three u-joints. Buses and other vehicles with a long wheel base may feature three or more u-joints. The likelihood of a u-joint failing increases with the number of u-joints in a car.
What Could Cause A U-Joint To Fail?
Most of the time, you can attribute u-joint failure to one of the following reasons:
Improper lubrication: Some u-joints require constant upkeep. Greasing your u-joints is usually necessary every 5,000 miles or so. Your u-joints will break if you don't give them regular maintenance. With maintenance-free u-joints, you don't need to be concerned about this issue.
Misalignment: This is the result of adjusting the ride height of the car. If the vehicle is raised, the u-joint operating angles are altered. The u-joint moves more with each driveshaft revolution the larger the operating angle. The u-joint ages more quickly as a result.
Loose connections: With time, the bolts securing the u-joints may come loose or fall out. Usually, rust, high vibration, or incorrect torqueing are the causes of this.
Wear and tear: U-joints may wear out before the vehicle's lifetime, despite this being the case. Off-road vehicles and cars that tow frequently are prone to this.
This post has more information on the most common causes of u-joint failure.
What Happens When You Don't Replace Your U-Joints?
Even though a u-joint might not seem like much, if it fails, the car will eventually become inoperable. There will be no more rotation of the driveshaft. This implies that you won't have anything left to turn the wheels with. That won't occur suddenly, though. A few signs will become apparent to you before the event. Some symptoms include:
· Vibrating when you go faster or slower
· Noises made by the vehicle's underbelly when it shifts from forward to reverse or back to forward
· Seeping from the transmission seal or the rear pinion seal
If you replace the u-joint(s) when you notice these symptoms, you'll avoid the major hassle of complete failure.
Quality Matters
If one of your u-joints has failed, the right replacement parts will make all the difference. It's important to replace your u-joints in pairs, even if one of them seem like it is still good. If one has failed, the other doesn't have long to live.
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