Half Shaft Universal joints

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:40 am

Hello there,

On my P6B, the off side outer universal joint on the half shaft has a very tiny amount of play. It is the sealed variety, and there is no idication of grease having leaked out so far.

When driving slowly, I can hear a squeeky ticking sound, which appears to be coming from that region. The tailshaft unijoints are both new and freshly greased.

My question is this,...can universal joints seaze?

Thanks in advance
Ron.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:42 am

Ooops....spelling mistake.....should be seize

Ron.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:10 am

I've never heard of one seizing. In my experience, the bearing will run dry, destroy the needles, and then grind away at the yoke until the yoke can escape from the housing. Then you have no drive and a hole in the floorpan of your car! (and probably a groove in the road too)

Chris.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:14 am

Hello Chris,

Thanks indeed. I will certainly replace the uni joint well before it arrives at that state.

Ron.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 1:50 pm

An update...I withdrew the half shaft and the outer uni joint, the one that I suspected of creaking was indeed the culprit. It has partly seized

Grease had all gone, full of rust and broken needle rollers.

The inner was still OK, but I replaced it anyway. Both had been in situ for 197,000km.

Ron.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:53 pm

RoverP6B wrote: Both had been in situ for 197,000km.

Not bad!