bad u-joints - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

hunnybunn5 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 08:43 AM

I have a '97 4Runner that has been having some vibration problems. Recently I took it to the dealership for other scheduled maintenance and they told me I had two bad u-joints. What is the purpose of a u-joint? Is having bad u-joints a life or death matter for your car? How does it affect the car (other than the vibrating)? Is this something I need to fix today or can I wait a week or so? If someone could please help me understand what it is thats going on with my car I would greatly appreciate it (they were jerks at the dealership). Thanks so much!

RobXS · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 08:58 AM

U joints attach the drive shaft to the axle and the transmission. They allow the up and down movement of your drive shaft. Your drive shaft is the thing on the bottom in the middle that looks like a piece of pipe. It has joints on both ends. The bearings in them need to be lubricated on a regular basis or else they will dry out and cause problems like you are experiencing. The vibration is not really safety issue, but eventually the joints will fail and your drive shaft will hit the ground. This is a common service part and most any repair shop can replace your u-joints. They will charge a lot less than what the dealer will.

hunnybunn5 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 09:32 AM

Thanks so much for the help! I really appreciate it. One more quick questions...the vibration my car experiences gets worse when i take my foot off of the gas. Can that still be from the bad u-joints or does that sound like another problem?

RobXS · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 10:13 AM

U-joints typically vibrate worse when you accelerate. If it gets worse when you let off there could be other problems. A vibration in the seat or the feeling that the car is shaking would usually be caused by the rear tires or wheels or both. If your steering wheel is shaking then it would be the front. These usually show up around 50-60mph. A U-joint vibration would happen at any speed when you are accelerating and tend to get the sensation that the whole car is shaking. It is hard to say without looking at it if it is U-joint, wheels, tires, axle, trans, etc. because they are all connected and can cause similar symptoms. I would like to put faith in the tech that they properly checked it out and determined that the U-joints were the problem. You may want to take it to another shop and have them check it out. Don't tell them what the dealer said. Just have them check it. I see that you are in DC. You can take it to a NTB and they will check it for free.

hunnybunn5 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 03:17 PM

thanks so much for tha advice! i'll take it to NTB and see what they say. hopefully thats all it is

yspert · #6 (**permalink**) 07-18-2007, 11:27 AM

only a safety issue if it comes out.
replace the complete shaft---one you buy from toyota. yspert

gquenstedt · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yspert

only a safety issue if it comes out.
replace the complete shaft---one you buy from toyota. yspert

Why do you say to replace the complete shaft? Have you had bad experiences with just replacing the joints?