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Broken universal joint

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wkilleffer

wkilleffer

Jedi Knight
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Well, I was almost home, when the rear universal joint broke on one of the busier streets near my house. AAA sent a tow truck within 20 minutes.

I'm thinking that since one is broken, that the second one can't be far behind. I've seen one of the catalogs with a set and all hardware, and am wondering if that's the way to go. Also, how challenging is the job of replacing the u-joints on MGB's? I have reasonable mechanical ability and do about all of my own car work.

The worst part of this is that I was *really* enjoying using the B as my daily driver. At least the motorcycle is available.

Thank you,
 
Not a big deal...hardest part might be getting the driveshaft out...
 
Check the pricing for the set and individually - I've seen it better both ways (make sure you include all the parts that the "set" has when you do the individual math).
 
Re: Broken universal joint *DELETED*

Post deleted by tony barnhill
 
Wrong thread tony! But I got it.
 
I was beginning to think that Tony's rusty car must have really gotten to him.

Just out of curiousity, I checked the Advance auto parts site to see if they even knew of such things. To my surprise, their website had several choices, ranging from $8.99 to over $20. Various types of warranties were also represented. Now, none of the area stores had them in stock, but any of the ones that I would consider would be here in a business day.

Now, I know we're supposed to support small business parts vendors, but I'm curious about how these parts would stack up against a part from TRF or Moss. Since I've never done this job before, I don't know what is needed besides the part itself.
 
Find a parts store that'll get you Spicer U-J's. They were actually the OEM. MGB U-J's are not "strange" sizes, so should be available redily. Check the local NAPA yet?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Find a parts store that'll get you Spicer U-J's. They were actually the OEM. MGB U-J's are not "strange" sizes, so should be available redily. Check the local NAPA yet?

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the reminder. I'd forgotten all about NAPA. This si what happens when everything's behaving. I forget what to do when something goes wrong. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
While searching for a dizzy cap and rotor for my Alfa earlier tonight, Advance's site didn't show any in stock either at any store, so I called the closest one (had the guy oogling at the fact I had an Alfa on the road - he was really impressed saying "cool" and all that)... turns out they had "several" in stock. I told him I'd be in to get them in the morning.

Always pays to pick up a phone (one of the things I hate doing), and checking with the local guys. I figure because my Alfa uses Bosch dizzy parts, that they stock the same parts for VW guys.
 
HI Wkilleffer, sometimes when the drive shaft fails under load the yokes on the shaft can get beatup a bit be sure and check them while you are waiting for the replacement Crosses.-Fwiw---Keoke
 
Oh, and something I learned from Tony... when it comes to bearings buy the best you can get!
 
Absolutely, Kenny....go for the best bearings/u-joints you can afford.
 
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