Interesting u-joint info I learned today, techs may find interesting

[Cordell]

So a some of you may or may not have known my Miata has had a "wheel bearing type" noise that has progressivly gotten worse over the summer. It was deffenitly coming out of the rear of the car so I decided I'll just put new wheel bearings in the rear. Well it got rid of some very minor play, but the noise was the same. Started doing my research finding people descibing the noise and needing u-joints. Well here's where it gets fun, a lot of Japanese cars, Miatas included, use a non-servicable staked in u-joint and I would have to replace the whole driveshaft. After some more research I found a manufacturer that sells a replacement u-joint and for you online shoppers there's a web store called "The U-Joint Store". So the install isn't too bad, but you will damage the yoke if it is not carefully pressed out, using a shop press simply pushes the cap over the stakes smoothing it out as it is removed. The new u-joints are equipped with snap rings so the install is pretty straightforward other then it's so damn small.

 

So now that I've got that tackled the car rides like new again.

 

http://www.theujointstore.com/

 

http://www.rockforddriveline.com/replacem.htm

 

Some of you that drive JDM cars may find this usefull

http://www.rockforddriveline.com/Staked-In_U-Joints.pdf

 

Head Admin edit: This thread is for informational purposes only concerning staked-in u-joints.

Edited November 6, 2012 by MrMeanGreen

[MrMeanGreen]

Locked and stickied with useful information.