Universal Joint

We took the JEEP out to the seems to be daily trip to Wal-Mart, and when I returned I noticed the front drive shaft disconnected from the differential. The front universal joint was missing one end cap. Both of the u bolts were there. The strange thing is We have not had the JEEP in 4WD in several months. The cap that was still in the front differential still had grease. I went to the FLAP and got two new u joints. Guess all this leads up to the question. Should I replace the u joints on the rear shaft? The don't seem to be giving any problems. Also are the u joints on the rear driveshaft the same as on the front driveshaft? As far as I know they are the stock driveshafts for a '57 CJ-5 F-134.

Thanks and sorry for the longwindedness.

Jeff

 

If the stock driveshafts then they are the same u joints all the way around. It is odd that you would lose a cap, I'm guessing the straps weren't tight enough. If you haven't had a problem you could just replace the one that is broken but I would be inclined to replace both of them on the front shaft since you need to remove the shaft to replace the broken one anyway.

 

Make sure your transfer case is not in 4W HIGH. If 4wheel is seldom used, I would replace only what is bad and save my money.

 

I replaced the u joints on the front shaft, It was raining when I got home so I hope to re-install the shaft tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the help!

 

well ,the strap had to be loose but I don't see how the cap could get off ,the yoke has a kind of keeper .,

 

Check the tab in the yoke that retains the cap. These do get worn and allow the cap to move around loosening the u-bolts that hold the joint in place. Then the cap can pop out or allow other nasty things to happen. May have just been a defective joint too.