T Case U Joint - Universal?

Hi All,

First a quick thanks to the willingness & expertise to help out as I venture into my first Tacoma. I have a 98' 3.4 L 4x4.

After a diag from a shop specializing in 4WD Trucks, they determined the u joint for the transfer case needed replacement - i was told it was the u joint coming out of the back of the transfer case, towards the rear drive shaft.

Do i need to get a particular type of u-Joint, or will the universal ones work just fine for this application?

Many thanks,

Ben

 

I highly recommend OEM or Spicer, in that order. Moog parts don't last, and you will be changing them again in short order.

Just an FYI- On your extended cab, you have a two piece drive shaft with a carrier bearing & double cardan joint in the middle. Of the four total u joints in the drive shaft (front, double cardan x2, rear) only the front and rear are considered serviceable. The double cardan requires a different u joint; it's not commonly available, and difficult to replace. Most drive line shops will simply cut the joint out and replace it.

While you're changing the u joint, I would also consider changing out the carrier bearing, unless you have done that recently. Again, OEM or Spicer, in that order. OEM is more expensive but well worth the time saved in having to do the job twice or more with inferior parts.

I am not sure what you mean by "universal"- you need to get parts that are sized correctly for your drive shaft.

 

Hey Andy,

You are correct in that I have an Xtra Cab - appreciate the heads up. I am changing out the carrier bearing with the u joint.

The way I understood u joints is that are universal, meaning the same u joint is used for the front & rear on the Tacoma. Is that incorrect? I now understand the difference between the rear/front & the double cardan - thank you.

The shop specifically said it was the t-case u joint. Does that change anything in terms of the approach? I guess I am confused in the difference between the t-case u joint, and driveshaft u joint. I've been reading up onlinie, but still not certain

Appreciate your help,

Ben

 

The front and rear u joints are the same part number- so yes, they are interchangeable, as are the two u joints on the front drive shaft. They are not universal in the sense that they would not work on other vehicles.

Generally when things are "universal" they are things like exhaust clamps, etc.. an item that would work on any vehicle.

 

Andy, I’m not sure but I read somewhere the middle joint (close to the carrier bearing I think). Isn’t the same as the front and rear Ujoints in a Access cab , is that true? They look the same , I think someone called the middle one a cardon joint and said it’s hard to replace. I was guessing we would just need 3 of these oem joints that say $60 each ? I can tell you know a lot about it, thanks for the help, I really appreciate it

 

Oh ya, sorry it was you who said that a few posts up haha …. Anyway, doesn’t the middle one you said is the cardon joint need to come apart to replace the carrier bearing? I wanted to just replace all 3 plus the bearing at once… & I think it says “spicer” right on the driveshaft so that’s the same as oem? Thanks

 

@otherphone - you don't have an OEM drive line- someone has replaced it with an aftermarket drive shaft. At this point, it's best to take it to a drive line shop and let them look at and work on it.

 

Wow I bought this 09 new in 2009 and thought hmmm why does it have 80miles on it. I always get ripped off somehow.

 

Would you just buy a new oem driveshaft if you were me? I can replace that in my driveway. Thanks

 

Sorry- my mistake. I didn't see you had a 2nd gen truck, and it appears they have different drive shafts than the 1st gens. I don't have much info for 2nd gen truck regarding the u joints. Might try the 2nd gen forum.