U Joint Replacement Questions

I had to replace my carrier bearing and decided to change the u joints while I was at it. From my research I thought I needed three

$69 04371-60070 Universal Joint

04371-60070 U joints. When I took it all apart it looks like there are four on the main shaft. So I did some more reading and found something about the double cardan? Plus the clips that keep the "spider" piece in the middle u joints are different on the factory ones compared to the OEM Toyota ones I ordered. I searched and watched the you tube video from @Timmah! but I still can't find any concise info on my specific truck which is a 2004 Tacoma, 4x4, SR5, xtra cab that I have owned since 20,000 miles. It has 190,000 on it now and I'm sure the u joints have never been replaced. Can someone point me in the right direction before I tear into this? Thanks.

 

I like to use rockauto to look for part numbers, may not order everything there, but it's very helpful

 

There's actually a guy on this forum that did a write-up on how to replace the u-joints on the double cardan joint. Toyota does not sell u-joints for the double cardan joint. If those go bad, Toyota considers it a throw-away. For the double cardan joint, you have the two u-joint and a center ball. It doesn't look like an easy job at all.

Before you get into all of this, have you confirmed that any of your u-joints are bad? Have you checked them for play by pushing and pulling on the shaft? U-joints can last a very long time if they are taken care of and lubricated on a regular basis. There's a very good chance you don't need to dive into any of this saving yourself time, money and the headache.

If one of my double cardan joints ever went bad, I'd just replace the whole shaft with one from Tom Woods. They make custom driveshafts and make them with parts that are common and readily available if you ever have to replace u-joint. Tom Woods has an excellent reputation in the industry. https://4xshaft.com/

 

Boy he's right...if that DC is not bad.....I would not mess with it......

There is someone who tore into the older toyota trucks DC way back when....WHAT PIA

Driveshaft CV Modification for Increased Angle (4x4wire.com)

Tried to find DC as a whole......you'd have to know what your doing there..

If its bad I think best option is to replace whole....

2004 Toyota Tacoma Drive Shaft - Toyota Tacoma Driveline - Free Shipping (wholesaleimportparts.com)

 

That new one would have zerts and could last long long time....
although those zerts are goin to be tough to get grease gun in there...

the drive line people call the double cardan - cv joint....

 

@Timmah! is 1000% right. That double cardin is a total pain in the ass. I have a friend that managed to figure out what u-joints would fit (I think it was some Spicer joints), and completed it. But he said it is a complete PITA to do with the center ball Timmy mentioned, etc.

I replaced all my u-joints on my drive shafts when I did my 4wd swap, except the double cardin. I had to have my drive shaft shortened by a driveline specialist. When he balanced, he said the DC joint was fine (that was with over 250K miles on the shaft).

Chances are pretty good you don't need (and definitely don't WANT) to mess with it.

Timmy is also right about if it does need to be replaced, I would absolutely replace it with a more serviceable part, with more readily available replacement u-joints.

 

If you really want to replace it this is a good read.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/double-cardan-joint.273119/#post-6745013

But like @Timmah! And @El Taco Diablo said, if you're going through the trouble, might as well replace with something that's easily serviceable in the future. That's my plan, mines got play, I have the tooling to make any fixturing i'll need and have contemplated it, just to do it, but it's just a huge pain.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess I’m still a little confused. Which one is considered the Double Cardon and which picture are the 3 OEM spider joints I bought.

 

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=9m+kBF7X&id=CC4B371E6033BE8E2B546958B899159C2594E3E3&thid=OIP.9m-kBF7XxRwirz4SqQsq9AHaEQ&mediaurl=https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.f66fa4045ed7c51c22af3e12a90b2af4?rik=4%2bOUJZwVmbhYaQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.jagsthatrun.com%2fPages%2fimages%2fDouble-cardan-0246.jpg&ehk=uSCaRnm%2fTiztpWOH%2f1cIkxAjWwtW%2fEHHbls6yfY%2fmVw%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0&sres=1&sresct=1&srh=746&srw=1300&exph=310&expw=540&q=double+cardan&simid=607992147538479254&FORM=IRPRST&ck=345A9CE6A54E8B26C591F220B1D83F75&selectedIndex=23&qpvt=double+cardan

 

I have a great drive shaft person.

He does all my work cheaper then I can buy the parts,.

He rebuilds the complete Cardon joints or replaces them with new.

 

There was a guy on that other thread says some driveline shops will rebuild these...
they know what parts and how to get them.....evidently that 'BALL' is the hardest piece to get......evidently only couple sources....
in the world......and there's only two sizes....and two kinds.....inner or outer clips.....

Others said to dump oem(shame on u toyota).....and get the new after market ones that are FULLY serviceable......and w/zerts......
drop in place....plug and play.....
https://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/Toyota_Tacoma_Driveshaft_2004.php


For you anal DIYs....these guys might be of help...
High Angle Drivline-Call Jesse at 530-877-2875 (highangledriveline.com)

 

And thanks to all you all.....like a dumb ass I would of tore into one of these not knowing....
and likely would of been someone elses....and then OH SHIT.....

 

If i changed enough u-Joints in a year to warrant building a Jig to hold the Yokes in the correct position to press the journals out it would be different.

Easy to just drop off the drive shaft pick it up on the way home or next time past.

 

Yeah I saw were that guy had piece of u-channel steel mounted up right for a cradle to rest on while you dance it back and forth to get cups out.....

 

No doubt. This probably saved me a headache and I’m going to leave it as is for now. But yeah, thanks for all the help from the community and to @Timmah! for a great how to video.

 

I wouldn't replace them just because you have 190,000 miles on the originals. I have 415,000 miles on my 96 u-joints with no indication that they need replacing.

 

your a brave one for tackling the double cardan, it impossible to fix just order from Tom like Tim said

 

I'm going though the same situation. I got my carrier bearing and u joints replaced and still having issues with squealing and vibration. The shop tried to replace the u joints on the double cardan but called me to tell me they couldnt do it. Turns out the double cardan was the culprit. I'm just going to replace the shaft... Thanks for sharing the shaft recommendation @Timmah! . I've been looking for a solution for the last couple months and this thread definitely helped me out

 

So I reached out to Tom Woods about getting a drive shaft built for my 2002 doublecab tacoma pre-runner. This is what they sent back:

"I’m sorry to report that no we cannot build a shaft for your truck. There are usually two reasons we cannot built a shaft for a pre-runner. The first is that the drive shaft usually attaches to the transmission via a slip yoke instead of the bolt on flange a 4WD truck would use. The second is that the length of the drive shaft in a pre-runner is usually longer than 72” and longer than we can build. We are not able to build a shaft longer than 72”. This is because our equipment is too short to build that long of a drive shaft. Because we specialize in generally shorter wheelbase 4WD drive shafts and because we were limited on shop space when we started buying our equipment we have shorter build and balance machines than the average drive shaft shop. In theory I think that a single piece shaft could and should be made for your vehicle. I’ve actually done a bit of research and calling around to different drive shaft manufacturers looking for someone to refer people with 2WD prerunners or long wheelbase 4WD trucks to. So far I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone that can and will build a single piece shaft for your application."

Any other suggestions @Timmah! ?

 

Have you already talked to all the local Drive Line Shops ?? I would think Lots of Truck and Farm Equipment being built in Texas

I could see where length could be a problem .

Good Luck!!