MagnumBlue

First off I want to say thanks guys. I've learned alot lurking here. You guys are full of good information.

So. Universal joints in my 78 magnum are shot. My question is I've only done U joints one time and it was on a ford. They had snap rings on the outside of the caps to hold them in place. These don't have snap rings or groves. They just appear pressed into place.

My question is when I go to reinstall them do I simply tap the caps in place? What's holding them in? And more importantly what's to keep me from making them too tight and keeping the bearing from moving freely?

My guess is just tap them flush but I'm just guesssing. Any advice out there?

1966sportfury

the ones on the drive line there has to be a snap ring of some sort. the others that bolt to the tranny yoke/rear end yoke the bolted "strap" holds them in.

1966sportfury

oh and welcome to the site

MagnumBlue

Thanks!

I'm tellin ya man, there's no snap rings on them. I'm freaking perplexed. I was expecting to see them but they're not there. No groves either.......

Mopar Magic?

MagnumBlue

Ah HA! They're on the inside. Well, I feel better knowing there's snap rings holding them in but damn do they look like they're going to be a pain to get on. One looks like it has a loop for something to hook on to but I don't see anything that hooks on it.

Very interesting.

sweeperking

Those snap rings are probably "C" clips and are easy to install, just hold the ends of the clips started in the grooves and tap in with a hammer. Make sure the cap is on fully first, it should be down far enough to just uncover the groove the "C" clip goes into.

MagnumBlue

Thanks. I just never encountered that style before. They were hiding in grease.

MagnumBlue

Reinstalling the joints was a breeze. Vibration is gone. She's smooth as silk......

But I still have the loud clunk when I drop into reverse. I was hoping it was due to the U joint but now I have to think it's the rear end. I checked for play when it was up in the air and there wasn't much at all.

What else could make a noise like that except the rear end?

sweeperking

I'll bet it is in the rear end, have some one hold the brake (engine idling) and go back and forth between reverse and drive and watch the drive shaft

Mopar_71

X2 with sweeperking.

You could apply a working e-brake, start the car and watch the drive line when switching from reverse to drive. If the drive line rotates a lot, your rear end should be checked.
Or lift the rear tires off the ground with the car off in park and try moving the rear tires and watch the drive line. You should have a little play, but not a lot.
Good luck.

MReeves

Can't give you much better advice that the guys above. So just welcome to the forum and good luck on the rear...