By Justin on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 03:35 am: Edit

I was driving down the highway the other day when my front U Joint left me (felt like a bomb went off under the truck). I broke the one attached to the transfer case(?) not the front differential. I know that I can fix it myself but I was wondering if there was any sort of aftermarket upgrade I should be looking for when fixing this thing. I just thought that while I need one I might as well upgrade if there is something better. Also I was just looking for any input on the subject in general, advice on changing it out and what I might do with the parts off anyway. Thanks for your help!!
Justin

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 06:15 pm: Edit

You can get a replacement at NAPA or another auto parts store. Bring in what's left of the old one so they can match it up. And I might add, you're damn lucky it didn't cause any other damage. Usually when those things go at speed, the driveshaft will whack a fist size hole in the transmission. No fun.

Alex

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 05:08 am: Edit

Is the yoke ok? You want to check that carefully, because if the u-joint took part of the yoke with it, it will be out of balance. If the yoke is toast, you may want to consider a double jointed front shaft - (especially if you are running a lift)

By Justin on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 09:34 am: Edit

Thanks a bunch for the info, I do consider myself plenty lucky for not putting a hole in my tranny (only some little scratches) pretty much the damage was inflicted upon the floorboard (small hole) and one of the bars that attaches to the transmission but I think I'm just going to weld that back on. I'll take it down to napa but how would I check and see if the yoke is okay? I'm not running a lift but definitley thinking about it in the future so thanks for the input!!
Justin

By Mike B. on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 01:21 pm: Edit

There seems to be some confusion as to the part number for the U-Joints for Discos. Is it supposed to be #344 or #369?

I'm looking to pick up a spare set before SOLAROS just in case.

Thanks,
Mike B.

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 01:52 pm: Edit

Justin:

If you made a small hole in the floorboard, then my guess is that the yokes are toast. The u-joint is the small piece that looks like an x. It mounts inside the yokes, which have ears on it. From the sound of it, the ears on your yokes were ripped to pieces when the u-joint gave. Been there, done that...........

By Tate on Friday, August 31, 2001 - 04:56 am: Edit

Mike,
Having been through the u-joint search, there is no easy answer. I depends on when your truck was made and what Rover had laying around. My 98 took #344's all around (no rear rotoflex). I've also heard of people whose trucks don't take either one of these. BTW, the 344 is a much smaller joint than the 369. Best way, I guess, is to measure them and match them up using those part numbers as a starting point.

By Justin on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 01:42 am: Edit

Well over the holiday weekend i finally had time to pull all the broken parts off and the yoke was toast, but so was the splein (?) (I don't know what its called but it is the actual part you can pull off the shaft there) It is kind of banged up and I'm curious if anyone out there knows of any cheaper ones. Its a bit depressing when you pull something off your truck just knowing that its weight in your hand is directly proportional to the impact it will have on your pocketbook.
I think that my U-joint gave way because of a lack of maintenance, as the whole thing was wore down far to much to indicate "regular" wear and tear.
Curiouser and curiouser,
Justin

By Justin on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 08:52 am: Edit

I just called a dealer and was informed that the only way I could get a new yoke is to purchase a new drivetrain. This would cost roughly 750$ and I don't think that I need one. is there any other way to find one, anything at all??

Thanks in advance
Justin

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 09:00 am: Edit

Call Bill at Great Basin Rovers and have him send you a double jointed driveshaft. Should be less than $750, will run smoother, and last longer.

By Ali on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 09:05 am: Edit

Justin,

Take the whole thing to a drive shaft shop. You'll be amazed at what they can do.