wormhole

Took my 4runner in for the who "knows how many time" for a clunking type noise when braking, letting off the break and/or letting off the gas after accelerating (took it into the Toyota dealer, in Avondale)and it was determined that the u-joints are going bad.

So what is in involved in replacing the u-joints? I've been looking though the repair and it seems that if you don't align everything back up right the balance of the driveshaft can be thrown off and what is a double cardan type u-joint? Does that apply to the 4runners.

Sorry, if this seems kind of random. I still trying to learn how to work on 4runner besides doing the basic stuff.

sschaefer3

You need special tools. I would find a drive shaft shop or use the dealer.

wormhole

Do you gus have any recommendations on where to take it. The guys over on ttora recommend toyboxauto but they aren't open on Saturdays. Big-O tire in Goodyear said they can do it or I can go to the stealership but I'm still looking for recommendations.

I'm in Phoenix this weekend picking my mtn. bike back up and I'm looking to get this done.


Steve - What type of special tool ???

RobD

You don't need any special tools. What you need to do is mark your drive shaft flanges so they meet back up with the right spot (make a mark on the U-joint where it meets your transmission flange and one where it meets your rear pinion flange). Drop the shaft by removing the 4 bolts at each end. Remove the C-clips at each U-joint. Spray the U-joint bearing cups with penetrating oil. With a BFH (big freakin' hammer) and a slug (I used an old socket) and a 2x4 to place the axle on or a press, bash or press the livin' bejeepers out of the U-joint bearing races. Once out, press the new ones back in. All in all, I did mine in about an hour and only ruined the socket.

A better write-up might be found here:

http://www.automedia.com/U-Joint_Rep...cr20050301uj/1

My shop manual said to use a vise and just press them out, but we were talking 17 year old U-joints that refused to budge an inch. Try pressing first, using a vise or a press. Failing that, beat the crap out of them with a BFH. Just don't hit the yokes.

This is another decent article, even if it's for Jeeps:

http://www.jeepin.com/features/ujoint/

RobD

Forgot to answer your double Cardan joint. That's basically two U-joints that are on your front driveshaft. It's unlikely that these are your culprit, unless you've been driving everywhere in 4 wheel drive.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...oft:*%26sa%3DN

wormhole

RobD

The process on Jeep site is roughly the same as for any U-joint.

I was just making fun of Jeeps. Oh, never mind.

sschaefer3

3rd Gen 4Runner has double Cardan joint on the rear shaft and single u-joints on the front. Reverse of the 86-95 Trucks/4Runners.

RobD

Missed that part in his signature line.

That said, it shouldn't be much harder than replacing a normal U-joint. Be careful to replace the ball that's between the two joints.

http://www.rblewis.net/personal/bronco/driveshaft/

From a Bronco site.

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/doublecardan.php

And from here, though it's a bit thin on advice: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/d...er-buy-125566/

Ryan

Good Info here, Learning experience

RobD

I had never done one until last year. Did some research on here, bought a couple new U-joints, a bigger freakin' hammer, and held my breath. Beat the livin' snot out of those things, then gave up and used a grinder with a cut off wheel to finish them off. Mine were the originals, though, and had 200000 miles on them, so they were somewhat reluctant to give up their places.

Been a year since and no issues.

toy_tek

T - they're easy to do with the right tools. A cinch with a press. I did them all the time about 15 years ago when I worked at an auto parts store. I think we charged $10 each or so. Check around, maybe a parts place will do it for you. If you can get a ride, you can drop the driveshaft out and just take it in with you. It would help to soak them down a couple days in advance with PB Blaster.

RobD

x2 on the PB Blaster.

wormhole

Thanks. For the replies guys . I think for the time being I'll be taking it to the stealership to have the work done (7am Saturday @ Avondale Toyota).

Being in an apartment I don't have access to the tools (press/BFH, plus the complex doesn't like us working on vehicles to much) and working 12 to 13 hr days. kind of makes it hard to do things during the week. The autoparts store u-joints are a lot cheaper but I've gotten recommendations from others to stay with OEM parts.

In the future I'll be doing this work myself at least what I can do. Hopefully, next year when I move up to the Phoenix things will change a bit. I hope.


Anything going on this weekend. Wouldn't mind doing an easy trail after the work is done. Might as well since I'm already there.

westy44runner

Definitely use the Toyota factory U-joints. Probably too late now, but in the future you can buy them online at dealers for quite a bit less than locally.

wormhole

Fixed. Avondale Toyota

The place that cleaned my 4runner after (the ******* stole crap out of 4runner).