OT/ Dodge u-joint

[TimWafer]

I thought this would be a simple project for the afternoon. One of the u-joints of my 95 Dodge ram 2500 4x4 diesel has been bad for a while. It was one between the transfer case and front pumpkin. There are actually 3 u-joints in this shaft and they were still the originals so naturally replaced all three. Two of them are in a unit apparently called a “cardan”. Basically two u-joints back to back. I marked all the pieces so I could put them back in the same order to preserve the balance. Not thinking, (duh) I cleaned up the yokes in the sandblaster before putting in the new u-joints. Naturally that removed most of my markings! I still can make out some and think I have them align properly but not positive. After putting the shaft back in, I have a terrible vibration as soon as I engage the 4x4. Much worse than before with the sloppy, disintegrating u-joint. In this cardan unit, there is a ball joint that keeps those parts centered. I cleaned that up and greased the crap out of it but didn’t replace that ball joint. Not sure if it even is replaceable. I think it might be the problem as I can now push that joint back and forth some, which would put it off, center there. Anybody know if that joint is replaceable? It appeared at least part of it was made right onto the shaft.
Tim

 

[Bob]

Is the spring in place that holds the "socket" against the ball you are talking about?

Did you pull the splined yoke off of the shaft, and the replace it without "phasing" the joints?

 

[Allan in NE]

And,

Did you get a one of the joints too tight? That will make 'em vibrate just as bad or worse than one that is wobbled out.

Allan

 

[TimWafer]

Nope, the rubber boot was still intact protecting the splined shaft so I never removed that. The spring is in the ball joint. The ball didnt look too bad at least compared to the u-joints. Maybe cleaning and lubing it was a bad idea as now it moves freely and it was really gunked up before. I can definetly wiggle it up and down now at that spot which cant be a good thing.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If the alignment ball has ANY play it will cause a vibration.

 

[TimWafer]

It definetly has play in that ball so I think thats the problem. Napa has them for $47 and Rockauto for $24. Cant work on it again for a few nights anyway so will order it online. I need new shocks as well so might as well do it all while im crawling around under there.
Tim

 

[TimWafer]

Tried to be carefull Allan and make sure nothing was binding etc. All the joints move freely. I really think its that ball joint thing, its the only thing I didnt replace. Just never ran into one like that before. I think whats happening is there is enough slop in it to allow the driveshaft to go slightly off center and that really throws off the balance. Just wont put it in 4x4 till I replace it. It seems OK at low speeds but get up to 20MPH or so and you can feel it go off center and shake like the devil. I found this link that shows a guy replaceing one of the ball joints.
I think this ball is the problem.

 

[Bob]

If it is still made like the ones from the 80's that I am familiar with, it's FAR more likely that something's wrong with the SOCKET, rather than the ball itself.

 

[TimWafer]

Just in case anyone was curious, it was the ball joint causing the vibration. The needle bearings in the middle of the ball went south and allowed the shaft to slop around and go off center. I replaced it tonight and it’s as smooth as silk! Unfortunately the ball kit doesn’t include a new rubber boot to go around it but I improvised and it looks good. Thanks for the help guys!
Tim