Replacing a driveshaft universal joint

Soobster · Post by **Soobster** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:14 am

Subaru has been running great now that I have a rebuilt engine and tranny.

However, about a week after having the new (Subaru Reman.) transmission installed, I noticed a loud vibration coming from under and between the front driver/passenger seats. The noise and vibration occur only when accelerating from a stop and happens most severly when accelerating hard or accelerating up a hill (also turning corners at a stop light seems to make it a bit louder as well). The vibration goes away once the car has a little speed, say 15-20mph.

My thought was that it is a tired/faulty driveline u-joint. I have not been able to find replacement u-joints, however, and a reputable source told me that the driveline has to be replaced in its entirety, that the u-joints are not replaceable as individual parts.

Is this true? Any help/advice thankyou.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:59 am

Take your shaft out and take it to a drivetrain shop. They can punch out the U-Joints and replace them in about 15 minutes (per U Joint).

Soobster · Post by **Soobster** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:43 am

That is the plan.

But I want to make sure that I can get replacement u-joints. So far I have not found any aftermarket options. Honestly, though I have not called the dealer yet because their prices on parts are really freaking high.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:09 pm

It might be the center bearing rather than the U-joint.

professor · Post by **professor** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:52 pm

sounds more like a center bearing to me, too.

you can often see that they are shredded by lifting the car and inspecting, and pushing and pulling on the driveshaft.

real bad center bearings often sound like someone is hitting the bottom of the car with a hammer, right under the seats. If its that bad you can see shredded rubber upon inspection

Soobster · Post by **Soobster** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:37 am

Still confronted with this problem:

Can I replace the center bearing/u-joints individually? So far both my local dealer and a parts store has told me that the WHOLE DRIVELINE HAS TO BE REPLACED!

I find this a little hard to believe though because how the hell would you get the joints installed in the first place? Also the price tag on a new driveline is about $600. Which is freaking rediculous solution for replacing a bad bearing.

I have not looked into the price of a used shaft from the junk-yard, but honestly, I really would rather not put a used drv. shaft into my subaru as a solution.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:20 am

Soobster wrote:Still confronted with this problem:

Can I replace the center bearing/u-joints individually? So far both my local dealer and a parts store has told me that the WHOLE DRIVELINE HAS TO BE REPLACED!

I find this a little hard to believe though because how the hell would you get the joints installed in the first place? Also the price tag on a new driveline is about $600. Which is freaking rediculous solution for replacing a bad bearing.

I have not looked into the price of a used shaft from the junk-yard, but honestly, I really would rather not put a used drv. shaft into my subaru as a solution.

You need to find a place that just does drivetrains. Most U-Joints or center bearings are standard and can be replaced without ordering them specially. I had them replaced on my old GL at a regular drivetrain shop.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:40 am

From what I saw on the drivelines....the u-joints do not look like they can be replaced separately.

Maybe a driveline shop with a press and know how can do it, but it's not a do-it-yourself job like the older cars were.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:40 am

Legacy777 wrote:Maybe a driveline shop with a press and know how can do it, but it's not a do-it-yourself job like the older cars were.

Oh, no. You need a press and know how. I saw a guy do one..it took him 10-15 minutes..but he used a press and knew how to do it.

Bheinen74 · Post by **Bheinen74** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:33 pm

I don't think they are designed to be repaired, rather they are designed to be replaced. the u-joints are welded to the end of the drive shaft, and it looks like that even if you had a press to press out the pins, that they are tack-welded on both sides.

btw, my front u-joint is a little sticky, so while i have it out of the car (switching out the tranny now parts are ordered) i am putting oil on it every day to try and free it up some.

Soobster · Post by **Soobster** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:54 am

Interesting news guys.

I still have the problem, it's quite annoying and I want to get it fixed soon.

I have not found a shop yet that sounds like they have done work on these Subaru drivelines, so I haven't gotten it fixed beacuse I don't want it hacked.

But, I have found a friend that is parting out his 1995 Legacy. He will sell me the driveshaft for $50.

I want to know if this driveline from the 1995 Legacy will swap driectly into my 1991 Legacy.

I will be talking with him later to get more info on the car, including vin#, so I'll post more detailed info later.

Chef · Post by **Chef** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:52 am

Later has come... how goes the battle?

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:06 am

Inquiring minds want to know..

Soobster · Post by **Soobster** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:50 pm

Sorry for dragging on the followup.

Here is the scoop.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE U-JOINTS ON OUR DRIVELINES!

The u-joints are PEENED (i think thats how to spell it) into the yokes from both sides. They can be replaced only by machining (drilling) them out and then oversizing the hole. I think this option is probably too expensive anyway. Might as well just go with a new driveline from the dealer for ~ $600-$650.

Myself, I got a good deal from the SubaruSuzKia shop in Ranco Cordova CA on a used driveline for $120. So even though I really didn't want to install a used driveline, my poor dictated my decision. And I really had to do something, because I was afraid that the joint was going to simply snap and that is scary shit. I had that happen on a previous vehicle and I was very lucky that the truck stayed on all fours.

Upon removing the old driveline, it was obvious that the front u-joint was completely dead. This was good news and bad news. Good news because I had found the problem and was going to get it fixed, but bad new because I just paid for a brand new transmission, installed by a local independent Subaru shop, that did not bring this problem to my attention when they installed the new transmission. That is irresponsible in my opinion. If a customer drops $4000 on an install, you should do everything you can to protect that investment. I can bet that the front u-joint needed replacing then and that would have been the best time to replace it.

Anyway.....

I got the used driveline installed and the problem is solved. I'm just hoping that I did not do any serious damage to my new tranny. Not like it matters that much at this point anyway, I'm just pissed.

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:58 am

I'm glad to hear you got it fixed for a reasonable cost. I'm still very surprised that Subaru makes these without thought to replacing the u-joint. The only thing I can figure is that failure must be quite rare due to the fact that there is very little relative motion between the hard mounted transmission and rear differential (unlike a solid rear axle where the u-joint angles change with suspension movement). Still, even though the u-joint cups are peened in, if replacements were available I'm sure it could be done.

How unusual are u-joint problems with these cars?

Bheinen74 · Post by **Bheinen74** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:20 am

[quote="Soobster"]Sorry for dragging on the followup.

Here is the scoop.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE U-JOINTS ON OUR DRIVELINES!

The u-joints are PEENED (i think thats how to spell it) into the yokes from both sides. They can be replaced only by machining (drilling) them out and then oversizing the hole. I think this option is probably too expensive anyway. Might as well just go with a new driveline from the dealer for ~ $600-$650.

like i said above......

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Replacing a driveshaft universal joint

Replacing a driveshaft universal joint