Rebuild u-joint or not?

[drfromnc]

Did a google search and search on This forum trying to find info on how to verify if I should use my Ujoint as is or rebuild it. Found nada. Currently in the process of ground up traditional build of a 34 pickup.

Is there a way to check it or should I just rebuild it since everything else is getting rebuild like the trans, rear end and flathead?

[Floyd]

Since you are doing a ground up then rebuild it for two reasons;1) hard to get to later if you don't;2) it is easy and cheap to rebuild it to original perfect. Get the kit that includes the cross, the cups and the clips. Make sure you get the clips as you will destroy the old ones when you cut them with a cut0off wheel to remove. Quick and easy job, then you will know it is right.

[cas3]

I have always found good originals. If you must have new, check with fred at southside obsolete to see if he has any.

[Mac VP]

You have to be careful about the decision to rebuild the original u-joints. The rebuild kit includes the center cross, the four bushings, and four new retainer clips. If you use the kit make sure to observe the location of the bushings in the kit…..their clip grooves are slightly offset from center. They are fine when installed as you get the kit. However if you don’t pay attention and install any of the four bushings backwards, it will stick out enough to scrape against the inner cap of the torque tube connector. Because the retainer clips are nearly impossible to remove without destroying them, you’d have to have more clips and probably more new bushings to fix the problem.

The other problem (not with the kit itself) is if the four openings in the front or back half of the u-joint have worn badly, the new bushings in the kit will not close up that gap enough to restore the fit of the assembly. It would be better than before but still looser than you’d like it to be.

[drfromnc]

So how do I tell if it should be rebuilt or replaced? I have no clue.

[Zeke3]

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Look for looseness between the cross pins and the bushings. I had one that had wear on one of the pins, probably due to the fact that we didn't know how much grease was needed to keep it lubed back then. I will add a picture if I can find that piece. Also, the joint should move smoothly, there shouldn't be any binding or stiffness.

[alchemy]

If you slide the cross side to side, that is not looseness. The looseness they speak of is if the cross has any slop inside the bushing.

[Tim Ayers]

I found an NOS rebuild kit at Hershey and plan to give it a go.