Thread: When to change uni joints?

Originally Posted by edddo

As far as I can tell my uni joints are fine.
But they are at least 120000km and 10 years old.
Well maintained but at what point do people just renew them from a preventative maintenance perspective?

I have never thought of changing unis out as a preventative type maintenance.

I carry a spare as they are relatively easy to change and grease regularly as in at least every oil change.

when we are touring I take a mini grease gun and give them a once over every 4 or 5 k or sooner if we are doing multiple water crossings.

Never had one fail yet (touch wood).

Paul.

It's not how old the joints are that matters, it's how well maintained they are that does. How old is the grease in them?

Also depends on the type and quality of uni, how they are used and under what conditions environmentally and in terms of setup.

I think most people just leave them untl they are a problem.

Originally Posted by bee utey

It's not how old the joints are that matters, it's how well maintained they are that does. How old is the grease in them?

I grease them until I hear/see grease spilling through the seals about every 5 to 10k depending on how much dust and water they have seen.
Looking like they have an indefinite life then - if well looked after. I do carry a spare....but never done one.
I am surprised how good the splines are as well - almost no noticable play.
Must be being too kind to the car.

Originally Posted by edddo

I grease them until I hear/see grease spilling through the seals about every 5 to 10k depending on how much dust and water they have seen.
Looking like they have an indefinite life then - if well looked after. I do carry a spare....but never done one.
I am surprised how good the splines are as well - almost no noticable play.
Must be being too kind to the car.

You can never be too kind to your car.

Look after her and she will look after you............

Today!

LOL! ... just this morning I finished changing the last one from last nights semi successful endeavour(D2 front prop)

Like Slunnie said, just keep an eye on them at every service. Give 'em a shot of grease whilst you're under the car doing the oil change.

Dunno about easy to change if it's a D2 front.
Out on the road, I suppose you could hack away at it with some makeshift tools, but I wouldn't call them easy to do. The cardan joint side would be a PITA without some proper tools.

On my D1, I plan to change them before I head out on any remote trip .. as I have no idea how old they are, or if the previous owners had greased them at all.

Doing my D2 front shaft tomorrow, and the rear some time soon as well. Little bit of play in the front uni. The DC seems tight still, but not knowing the service history for the last 60K, I'd rather err on the side of caution.

I think the uni joints in my 88 Rangie are the originals. I have never changed them and I have owned it for about 14 years. The odometer doesn't work, but my best guess is 4-500 thousand km so far. Regular greasing is the key.