U joint problem. I have been doing some work on my rear U joints. Got the old ones out - they were VERY tight in the yokes. Took a lot of pressure to get them out. Bought brand new Toyota u joints from the dealer to replace them with. When I reinstalled the new ones the caps went into the yokes rather easily, a little too easily. They are snug but by no means tight in the yokes. One of them is even loose enough to turn inside the yoke. I know that's not good. I searched the internet and found nothing about this problem on the million things about u joints.

My question is: Am I hosed? Do I have to buy a new driveshaft and yokes to rectify this? Is there any chance the Toyota u joints I bought are an RCH too small. I'm kind of sick right now thinking the only way to fix this is with a new driveshaft and yokes because of the $$$.

Thank you for your comments.

 

Are you sure you got the right u-joints? do you have an aftermarket driveshaft?

Try ujoints from the local auto parts store, they are all the same (pretty much!)

 

No, its all stock. New ones look identical to old ones. I thought about trying some from the auto parts store just in cast they are a hair tighter but I think I just don't want to admit to myself the yokes are screwed. I heard about some people welding the caps to the yokes... I have a tendency to drive 85 on the freeway so I've been trying to accept the fact that I'm going to need a new driveshaft assembly. I don't want that sucker coming apart. Found a Toyota one for $466. I guess it could be worse. Still curious if anyone has a fix for this. Thanks.

 

did you measure with a micrometer, the size of the caps on the new and old u-joints?

They have to be a different size. If they are not, then the yoke mating surface is messed.

Worse case, go find a used driveshaft? Or better yet, just go get a custom one peice shaft made.

 

Thanks for your input. I have a feeling the yokes are messed up. Maybe I can find a decent used one and put my new u joints into it. I will look into those possibilities. Thanks again.