U Joints Exploded

My u joints decided they were tired of living on the road the other day. I had to remove my driveshaft on the side of the road and limp it home in front wheel drive.

My mechanic calls me today and says that the flange yoke that comes off the transfer case is busted and Toyota will only sell it with a new driveshaft ($1100). Is there anyone that carries this part and can ship it overnight for an emergency? Thanks

Pic is part needed

 

the whole driveline is all spicer parts. Best thing would be to get a flange yoke from a junkyard or order the proper spicer part (sorry dont know the exact part number).

Also, before the other 2 u joints shit the bucket, REPLACE THEM AND THEN GREASE THEM REGULARLY!

 

Good info and P/Ns in these threads:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flange-yoke.503185/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flange-yoke-need-help.128328/page-2

 

How many miles did it last ya, and were they ever greased? Just curious cuz I got mine at 70k, greased them, and they were dry as a bone

 

same mines were dry when I first bought my truck that it made this ticking noise, after greasing em every oil change its been all good

 

As far as I know, that flange yoke has never been replaced and I'm at almost 170k. I think I had U joints replaced about 65k ago. Couldn't tell you the last time I greased them, so that's probably what happened.

I've been having some vibration for a few weeks and I actually thought it was my carrier bearing going bad and bought one a few days ago to replace it. Didn't expect U joints to nuke themselves. I'm running 33"s on stock gearing so I'm not surprised when stuff like this happens.

 

I just cant fathom noticing a vibration for a few weeks and NOT poking your head under your truck. (let alone doing standard regular maintenance like greasing u joints) when something so catostrophic like this can be easily avoided.

OP, YOU GOT LUCKY. That could of been and has been documented to be MUCH worse.

Running 33*s on stock gearing has nothing to do with this.

 

I would recommend op not get greaseable u joints. It's what toyota is using now and for some, like op, a better choice.

 

I've used this on a late FJ cruiser. No idea if it's the same https://www.ebay.com/itm/153823773036

Call your local driveline shop, they should be able to source it. Probably have it in stock.

 

Man, if I went Sherlock Holmes on my truck every time it had a new vibration or a new noise, it would never leave my driveway, I knew the carrier bearing was going bad, and assumed that's what it was this time. I was partially right, it did have a lot of play in it. Next mod is a carrier bearing drop kit fo sho

When I said they haven't been greased, I meant I hadn't greased them. My mechanic is normally pretty good about stuff like that.

 

I've seen a very mild squeak that I would have otherwise ignored be the symptom of a COMPLETLY trashed u-joint on an FJ.

Sometimes it's just a minor noise with big consequences.

 

So it looks like you cannot get the original part from Toyota or Spicer. The aftermarket version is the Powertrain Industries 3302-185, but it seems like everyone is out of stock or backordered on them.

I've tried looking at all my local junkyards, but none of them have any Tacomas on their lots. Curse Tacomas and their damn reliability

If anyone has any leads on finding this part, I'm in dire need of it

 

Did u try car-part.com ? It's like a big web site inventory of junkyards.

 

@EatSleepTacos might know the spicer part number

 

The Spicer part number is 5001905/1904. The issue is that Spicer only makes the part for Toyota and Toyota dealers will only sell the whole driveshaft

 

I have a junk driveshaft... if I can dig it out and pop it apart I can send it. Might take a day or 2. Part must be available somewhere... find a shop that makes driveshafts

 

I'd wager a bet that the flange is the same on the front driveshaft. You could steal a flange off of there to reassemble your rear driveshaft and buy yourself some time to get the aftermarket flange in.

 

Have you looked at other places to buy? Maybe Summit or a driveshaft shop?

Also jump on fb marketplace and see if theres a used driveshaft near you. Worst case scenario, you could buy an aftermarket driveshaft for ~$600. I have done that and ran it for a couple years

 

your mechanic is NOT very good at keeping up with that apparently...

 

The fronts are a different series joint though. And I think the dimensions are different between 1310 and 1330 so not sure if swapping yokes would work?

Wonder if Tom Woods could help you out OP?