auto help

[dkff49]

I have noticed a a vibration in my 1997 Toyota pickup after 130,000 miles. I think I have it nailed down to bad u-joints in the rear driveshaft. I have a repair manual and some experience working on my own vehicles and changing the u-joints is not a problem for me but after looking through the manual I have realized that the rear shaft has a cardan type u-joint on it. The manual says that this is not replaceable and the driveshaft must be replaced with a new one.

My question is:

How rare is it for this cardan type joint to wear out?

Where do I find one without going to the dealer? I have looked at many of the well known parts dealers and none of them have the rear shaft listed in their listed of parts.

I am most likely going to change the one changeable joint first and not change the shaft unless this does not solve the problem.

Thanks for your help.

[Masherbrum]

Call around to local Drivetrain shops, Transmission shops.   Then call the dealer.   Save money and just don't sacrifice "quality" for "savings".   

[CAVPFCDD]

Call around to local Drivetrain shops, Transmission shops.   Then call the dealer.   Save money and just don't sacrifice "quality" for "savings".  

if you're a hands on man like me and im assuming dkff49, you don't trust those place, besides it's way more fun and rewarding to fix stuff.

Unfortunatly I'm no good with drive trains and trannys, more of a motor guy, Internet is a good source, but with older japanese cars the engine always outlasts the tranny so i'll bet you right that its the drive train. Occasionally motor mounts can shift and bend a little bit also causing vibration, but i dunno.

[bj229r]

I had a '69 Bronco that ate rear u-joints, (I got rid of the old Borg Warner drive shafts and had Spicers built previously) I finally realized it was happening because my 4" lift kit was allowing the rear axle to twist beyond where the u-joint could compensate. Toyotas are far more complicated in that area, but the cause could still be similar. (15 years ago it cost me 200$ to have a drive shaft built)

[CAP1]

I have noticed a a vibration in my 1997 Toyota pickup after 130,000 miles. I think I have it nailed down to bad u-joints in the rear driveshaft. I have a repair manual and some experience working on my own vehicles and changing the u-joints is not a problem for me but after looking through the manual I have realized that the rear shaft has a cardan type u-joint on it. The manual says that this is not replaceable and the driveshaft must be replaced with a new one.

My question is:

How rare is it for this cardan type joint to wear out?

Where do I find one without going to the dealer? I have looked at many of the well known parts dealers and none of them have the rear shaft listed in their listed of parts.

I am most likely going to change the one changeable joint first and not change the shaft unless this does not solve the problem.

Thanks for your help.

whatg model pickup? i just looked at 4x4 tacoma, and t100, but both regular cab, in my alldata syatem. they show the u-joints as being replacable.
 i'd pull the shaft, and move the joints through their range of travel. generally, when a ujoint is bad enough to cause a vibration, it's pretty well dried out. you'l be easily able to feel that. do that before ya make yourself nuts.
 is the vibration there all the time, and speed? or just certain speeds?  only under accelleration, or de-accel? do you feel it in the steering wheel, or throughout the truck?

[drdeathx]

I had a '69 Bronco that ate rear u-joints, (I got rid of the old Borg Warner drive shafts and had Spicers built previously) I finally realized it was happening because my 4" lift kit was allowing the rear axle to twist beyond where the u-joint could compensate. Toyotas are far more complicated in that area, but the cause could still be similar. (15 years ago it cost me 200$ to have a drive shaft built)

Think there is no comparing a 69 Bronco u-joints to a Toyota.


1997 Toyota Tacoma 4WD I4 RegCab U Joint

Part: U Joint
Part #: K1010-100555
Brand: GMB
List Price: $65.58
Our Price: $30.07

[dkff49]

whatg model pickup? i just looked at 4x4 tacoma, and t100, but both regular cab, in my alldata syatem. they show the u-joints as being replacable.
 i'd pull the shaft, and move the joints through their range of travel. generally, when a ujoint is bad enough to cause a vibration, it's pretty well dried out. you'l be easily able to feel that. do that before ya make yourself nuts.
 is the vibration there all the time, and speed? or just certain speeds?  only under accelleration, or de-accel? do you feel it in the steering wheel, or throughout the truck?

tacoma standard cab 4x4.the repair manual I looked at listed about 5-6 different configurations for the driveshafts and the one that that seems to me matches my truck is the one with cardan type on one end (the best description I have for this is a double u-joint on one end). The manual does not show individual parts for this end like the other end of the shaft that has only one u-joint. I will take another lookat it though.

The vibration is a rapid vibration that I feel throughout the whole truck, it starts at around 35 mph and remains there no matter the speed after but it does seem less noticeable at about 55-60 mph. There is "shake in the steering wheel and feels too fast to be a out-of-balance tire. Accelerating or  not makes no difference in the vibration nor does it matter what gear I am in.


thnx death I actually have had no trouble in locating the u-joint for the truck but if it comes to replacing the shaft I will be pressed to find one within my budget.

[CAP1]

tacoma standard cab 4x4.the repair manual I looked at listed about 5-6 different configurations for the driveshafts and the one that that seems to me matches my truck is the one with cardan type on one end (the best description I have for this is a double u-joint on one end). The manual does not show individual parts for this end like the other end of the shaft that has only one u-joint. I will take another lookat it though.

The vibration is a rapid vibration that I feel throughout the whole truck, it starts at around 35 mph and remains there no matter the speed after but it does seem less noticeable at about 55-60 mph. There is "shake in the steering wheel and feels too fast to be a out-of-balance tire. Accelerating or  not makes no difference in the vibration nor does it matter what gear I am in.


thnx death I actually have had no trouble in locating the u-joint for the truck but if it comes to replacing the shaft I will be pressed to find one within my budget.

i'm not sure haw far hanover is from philly.......but try this number.

856-662-3252. that's a company called rebuilt parts. they're in pennsauken nj. the guys name is henry. he's good....very good. i think he may be able to help ya out, and he's honest too. if it's too far, he might be able to help you find someone near ya.
 if the double joint is the kind i'm thinking of, they are rebuildable, but they're difficult. i tend to send them out, rather than fart around with them.

lemme know how ya make out.

[dkff49]

i'm not sure haw far hanover is from philly.......but try this number.

856-662-3252. that's a company called rebuilt parts. they're in pennsauken nj. the guys name is henry. he's good....very good. i think he may be able to help ya out, and he's honest too. if it's too far, he might be able to help you find someone near ya.
 if the double joint is the kind i'm thinking of, they are rebuildable, but they're difficult. i tend to send them out, rather than fart around with them.

lemme know how ya make out.

thanks CAP

I just got back in from checking it out and the rear u-joint on the rear shaft is loose and the double joint is still tight. I will probably change the single this week and hopefully I can leave the other alone. I will keep that number handy though.


Thanks again man.

[CAP1]

thanks CAP

I just got back in from checking it out and the rear u-joint on the rear shaft is loose and the double joint is still tight. I will probably change the single this week and hopefully I can leave the other alone. I will keep that number handy though.


Thanks again man.

no problem. always glad to help when i can.


ooo...and what?! are you insane??? it's friggin freezin out there!! i think it's in the 20's here in cherry hill.....

[Buzzard7]

Cardan type joints can be replaced by most good driveline shops. I have spent less than 100 bucks replacing a cardan and single joint on one driveshaft and having its balance checked.

[dkff49]

no problem. always glad to help when i can.


ooo...and what?! are you insane??? it's friggin freezin out there!! i think it's in the 20's here in cherry hill.....

27 degrees here too but that is not too cold. I am going outside later to sit in my t-shirt and drink a couple of beers.    ya right

Cardan type joints can be replaced by most good driveline shops. I have spent less than 100 bucks replacing a cardan and single joint on one driveshaft and having its balance checked.

thanks buzz I check that out