Bad u joint at 65k miles.

Ok guys. Recently I have noticed a suttle vibration that almost feels like the same vibration you get when you are Idling too low. However I feel it at about 7 miles an hour wether it's in neutral or in gear with the clutch pushed in. I also noticed a squeaking coming from my drive line right at my rear differential that goes away when I get to about 30 mph. I discovered one of the four seals in my rear u joint has started coming apart. I'm assuming the squeaking is coming from the u joint. When I grabbed my drive line and rotated it, there is a decent amount of play in the rear end. My questions; is it normal for a u joint to fail at 65k miles on a 2007 truck?? Is it normal to have play in the rear differential where it attaches to the drive shaft?? Any thoughts

 

My u joint went out at 62k on my 06.

 

1. Yes the U Joint can go bad in a short mileage if it is not greased regularly and the wear will occur sooner if driven in water as it washes the grease out. Yours are probably shot. I would change all of them.

2. All gear meshes have some set amount of play in them ( Backlash ). It has to have some play but too much is also an issue. Either condition will eventually damage the gears. I would say you are probably fine.

 

My u-joint just went out at 62K. Symptoms: driveline vibe, clicking, and squeaking all in the 15-40mph range. Is there a TSB for this? or covered under a Certified vehicle bought 6-mos ago?

 

mine went at like 55k...loud squeeling

 

I grew up with farm machinery, diesel tractors/trucks and quite a few racing projects and one thing is certain: u-joints will wear out but "when" they do depends on driveline abuse (including axle wrap on 2nd gen Tacomas), routine and preventive maintenance by the owner and quality of manufacture. I'd say you're in the normal range but keep an eye on that rear end and real driveline alignment.

 

One u joint was replaced at less than 60k under warranty, others are still good(well OK, functioning normally) at just over 100K. No zerks on my 07 originals.

 

Mine just recently went out at about 62k.

 

I'll take number one for 1 million bob!

 

ya, thats about normal if not greased and kept up. what really sucks is the 2wd and pre-runners come with non serviceable/greasable u-joints. we have to swap them right away


cheers,
disco

 

The newer Prerunners have serviceable universal joints. At least my 2012 Prerunner came with zerks from the factory.

 

Fix it. My neighbor ignored his on a 4Runner and dropped a drive shaft on the hwy.