CrossedFlags77

Today on my way to work I was pulling out of my street and all of a sudden I hear the most terrible noise I have ever heard in my life. It was a loud banging noise and the whole car was shaking violently. I shut down the car immediately and get out to assess the damage. I busted a U joint coming from the rear end to the wheel and the driveshaft was hitting everything back there when the car was still rolling. It tore through the storeage box behind the passenger seat. Since I live in the sticks my cell phone didnt work so I had to walk back to my house and call the parents and tell them what happened (I am 16). I was mad enough and then it took the tow guy 5 hours to get to my car and they said it would be an hour tops. Also they said they would just lift up the rear end and pull it that way home, but nope he said the only way he could do it was to pull it up onto the trailor. So I had to sit in the car and listen to my driveshaft tear a bigger hole in my car as it rolled up the trailor. :mad So now my car is at home and I have to replace the U joint. It has been a good summer for me and the Vette since now. What U joints do you recommend and how can I tell if there is any damage done to the components or gears in the rear end? Take it somewhere and have them check it out? Also I was busted up my hand and tore off a finger nail today too. I just want this day to be over with. :banghead:

Larry B.

Do Not use anything except spicer (OEM) non-greaseable U-joint especially on the half shafts. There has been lots of stories like your.

NHvette

Sorry to hear that. After reading this - I think I should invest in all new Ujoints.
Some people install safety loops - to catch the half shafts if they 'get loose'.
Of course - as soon as you install the HS loops - you will be guaranteed to
never have it happen again.
:rolleyes: :p:

Better safe than sorry.

Spicer would be the brand of choice for most. To be honest - almost any brand
should be OK for a stock small block - but the small differnence more for Spicer is worth it.

Good luck - looks like you'll be learning a bit of fiberglass repair and Ujoint
replacement. Better hurry up - school starts back up soon.

Don't worry too much about your hand, as it will heal itself. Besides, knuckle
busting scars build character. I've got lots of them from age 16-up.


[Modified by NHvette, 6:44 PM 8/6/2003]

OHSIXX

You should not be shouldering these problems at 16. So, where is your Dad? :rolleyes:

virtue4u

Sorry to hear you had a bad day, but I must confess that your story makes me feel glad that I changed all my U-joints before I had any problems.

CrossedFlags77

I called my pops when it happened and he came home and checked it out. He called the tow people and had them come out. I am considering getting all new u joints and where do you get these straps you speak of?

Hobbes Blk '80

Anyone know where to find the best price on a set of u-joints?

Larry B.

"To be honest - almost any brand
should be OK for a stock small block - but the small differnence more for Spicer is worth it."

I dis-agree about any u-joint being OK. Half shafts are very hard on u-joints. I have seen cheap ones fail in a matter of weeks, even so called heavy duty ones.. It's not the power or the engine size that causes the problem . It's the fact that they are always deflecting and under lots of stress from the posi-traction set up. Get the Spicer's and do it once. You don't want a repeat as changing the half shaft joints can be a real chore.

.

FASGLAS

Check out this short article. Good advice...
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/46920/


"The last thing anyone wants is to experience the terror of a flailing driveshaft that’s decided to come right up through the floor of the car. "

Larry B.

I read that... I might add that they are wrong about Not for steet use. having to dis-assemble often to grease. Corvettes came from the factory with non greasable Spicer U-joints and many of them went 80K with out problems. Solid spicers are what you need. They also come with special grease already in them. They warn about not re-greasing them or mixing the caps.

Corvette ED

Why not install U-Joints with grease fittings?

Larry B.

The U-joint with grease fitting have holes through them for the grease. This makes them a lot weaker. Also most people would grease them with the cheapest grease they could find and may also force dirt in as well.. The type of grease used is important. That is why rebuilt water pumps fail early.

Zankou77

That's really urking that they insisted on hauling it onto a trailor. I have a '77, and the first time I had it towed, they lifted the back, like what you were expecting, so I know it can be done. You should complain to the towing company that, because they didn't go through with what they said, it caused further damage to your car. Maybe you can get a refund for the tow or something. Anyhow, I don't know very much about u joints, so I can't really help you there. Best of luck to you anyway. :)

Larry B.

I'm just trying to share 30+years of owning/maintaining corvettes. Today, the quailty of generic parts is terrible. Even dealer parts are not as good as the original. Everyone wants cheap so cheap is what they sell. PLEASE don't use cheap U joints on the half shafts. Spicers will cost about $20-22 each. If you have a driveline specialty shop nearby talk to them.


[Modified by bluevetteman, 5:20 AM 8/7/2003]

FEDX

I'm not as familiar with this as bluevetteman is,but he's right about the overall low quality of generic parts.I wouldn't want to do this job twice due to a failure,I would use Spicer.Sorry to hear bout the fingernail being torn off,mines just grown back after about a year or so.

Paul L

Brute Force at Canadian Tire.