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  • Driveshaft Universal Joint

    Anyone have this fail? What kind of noise does it make? Could you "blow it out" driving into a depression in the road, compressing the rear suspension, and significantly changing the shaft angle?
    Robert - owner www.FirebirdV6.com "Mid-life crisis? I'm way beyond that!"

    1996 Black Firebird GTxxxRam Air V6 w/ M5xxxwww.FirebirdGT.com

    Raven

  • #2
    Yours on your car Robert? Haven’t had one fail on mine so don’t know.
    Last edited by ssms5411; 04-06-2020, 08:44 AM.
    08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
    96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engine

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    • #3
      Yes - could be the torque arm bushing? It's speed related and appears to be a vibration?
      Robert - owner www.FirebirdV6.com "Mid-life crisis? I'm way beyond that!"

      1996 Black Firebird GTxxxRam Air V6 w/ M5xxxwww.FirebirdGT.com

      Raven

      Comment


      • #4
        When my Camaro one went (I can't remember if I had 2 piece or 1 piece at the time) it made a loud humming sound with vibration - it almost sounded as if the brakes were rubbing. When the one on my Jeep went it made more of a squealing sound.

        I don't believe it can go out from a large bump.

        Have you gotten under the car and checked the joint for play? Grab the driveshaft by the U-joint and try to move it side to side and up and down. If you can move it the U-joint needs replacing.

        2002 SOM Z28 Camaro - 12.9 @ 104 mph
        1996 3800 Camaro - 13.43 @ 100.77 mph


        Project Cars | How To Guides | Scratch Repair | Synthetic Oil

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        • #5
          They aren't hard to replace, but can be a pain sometimes. Just make sure you don't drop the cap and lose any of the needle bearings when you put the new one in. The grease does a pretty good job of holding it all together but just be mindful.

          This is what a bad U-joint will look like if you have play in it:



          Now, this guys U-joint is REALLY bad. Yours may not be this bad, but any play left/right up/down is bad. This play is different from rotational slop that can also be felt if you turn the driveshaft and you hear a click because of the rear end stopping it. Strictly look for play in the joint

          2002 SOM Z28 Camaro - 12.9 @ 104 mph
          1996 3800 Camaro - 13.43 @ 100.77 mph


          Project Cars | How To Guides | Scratch Repair | Synthetic Oil

          Comment


          • #6
            That’s a great video Mike.
            08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
            96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engine

            Comment


            • #7
              Well - looks like I bent the LH spindle for sure - as the tie rod end is angled - not vertical like the RH side - didn't see it until tonight. I'll pull the wheel this weekend - but I'm thinking it's scraping the back side of my aluminum rim.

              It didn't make sense that it that DS universal failed but it sure sounded like it coming from the DS tunnel. The grinding started as soon as I hit the rut (torn up asphalt that runs all the way across the road) - which keeps getting worse.
              Robert - owner www.FirebirdV6.com "Mid-life crisis? I'm way beyond that!"

              1996 Black Firebird GTxxxRam Air V6 w/ M5xxxwww.FirebirdGT.com

              Raven

              Comment


              • #8
                That was one helluva dip! You are sure you bent the spindle and it isn’t the damaged tie-rod making it look off?

                2002 SOM Z28 Camaro - 12.9 @ 104 mph
                1996 3800 Camaro - 13.43 @ 100.77 mph


                Project Cars | How To Guides | Scratch Repair | Synthetic Oil

                Comment


                • #9
                  That sucks Robert, not too long ago didn’t you have to replace a spindle? Because it was bent.
                  08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
                  96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engine

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Yes - used of course - found that the LH side was bent, alignment was maxed out. Now the RH side - but I've had a spare set for years. Used the LH 2 years - now I'll use the RH - just hope the lower A-arm is OK - I'll see this weekend.
                    Robert - owner www.FirebirdV6.com "Mid-life crisis? I'm way beyond that!"

                    1996 Black Firebird GTxxxRam Air V6 w/ M5xxxwww.FirebirdGT.com

                    Raven

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by LETZRIDE View Post
                      That was one helluva dip! You are sure you bent the spindle and it isn’t the damaged tie-rod making it look off?
                      Nope - I'll get some pictures this weekend.
                      Robert - owner www.FirebirdV6.com "Mid-life crisis? I'm way beyond that!"

                      1996 Black Firebird GTxxxRam Air V6 w/ M5xxxwww.FirebirdGT.com

                      Raven

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by FirebirdGT View Post
                        Yes - used of course - found that the LH side was bent, alignment was maxed out. Now the RH side - but I've had a spare set for years. Used the LH 2 years - now I'll use the RH - just hope the lower A-arm is OK - I'll see this weekend.
                        At least you have a spare. Let us know how it goes. Good luck
                        08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
                        96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engine

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          If I need to replace the A-arm - need to blast, power coat, new bushings, and ball joint - and pay to have it all done. I might just get the UMI boxed lower A-arms and be done with it.
                          Robert - owner www.FirebirdV6.com "Mid-life crisis? I'm way beyond that!"

                          1996 Black Firebird GTxxxRam Air V6 w/ M5xxxwww.FirebirdGT.com

                          Raven

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            My lower A arms from PA racing broke at the weld- the UMI boxed ones look like a much better design and I may one day run them as well.

                            IIRC- the bolts to remove the A-arm will be seized pretty bad. Actually I don’t think I ever got mine out ( mind you this was before I had a good air gun and a map torch)

                            You may want to order new bolts just in case. I remember I broke every bolt getting my subframe off and spent days drilling them out (I bet if I had to use a torch and an airgun I would not have though! Experience!)


                            2002 SOM Z28 Camaro - 12.9 @ 104 mph
                            1996 3800 Camaro - 13.43 @ 100.77 mph


                            Project Cars | How To Guides | Scratch Repair | Synthetic Oil

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by FirebirdGT View Post
                              If I need to replace the A-arm - need to blast, power coat, new bushings, and ball joint - and pay to have it all done. I might just get the UMI boxed lower A-arms and be done with it.
                              Didn’t you use 1LE A-arms , remember you went with beefier a-arms or something like that. My PA racing A-arms are holding up well but don’t really trust them , UMI is a good choice.
                              08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
                              96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engine

                              Comment

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