Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Finally, something wrong with my truck: U-joint
I have felt a buzz and vibration on deceleration for the last 1500 miles. There is about 89k on the truck. I had crawled under and felt the u joints and could not feel any heat or clearance, but that is what the problem turned out to be. After reading all the posts I could find, I figured it had to be in the driveshaft. Four bolts and the shaft was out. I could hardly flex the rear joint, the front seemed fine.
It came apart and was mostly rust, broken needle bearings, and I can't believe how bad it was. I think I could have had a major failure in the near future. I had picked up a couple of Neapco part#3-0803 high performance joints through Napa some time back. These are a fairly new solid cross joint built out of the good stuff. The guy at the driveline shop said they were the only thing they could find that would hold up in their pulling truck. With the help of TDR, I proceeded to grind the clearance required for the cross to go in. Pretty easy. I lightly honed the holes to clean them up, froze the caps and warmed up the yokes. It tapped together without too much trouble. Got in a hurry to get going and did not do the front yet but I will plan that for a warmer day.
Smooooth again. Thanks all you guys for sharing info. This site makes owning a Dodge Cummins even more enjoyable.
I have felt a buzz and vibration on deceleration for the last 1500 miles. There is about 89k on the truck. I had crawled under and felt the u joints and could not feel any heat or clearance, but that is what the problem turned out to be. After reading all the posts I could find, I figured it had to be in the driveshaft. Four bolts and the shaft was out. I could hardly flex the rear joint, the front seemed fine.
It came apart and was mostly rust, broken needle bearings, and I can't believe how bad it was. I think I could have had a major failure in the near future. I had picked up a couple of Neapco part#3-0803 high performance joints through Napa some time back. These are a fairly new solid cross joint built out of the good stuff. The guy at the driveline shop said they were the only thing they could find that would hold up in their pulling truck. With the help of TDR, I proceeded to grind the clearance required for the cross to go in. Pretty easy. I lightly honed the holes to clean them up, froze the caps and warmed up the yokes. It tapped together without too much trouble. Got in a hurry to get going and did not do the front yet but I will plan that for a warmer day.
Smooooth again. Thanks all you guys for sharing info. This site makes owning a Dodge Cummins even more enjoyable.
Last edited:
