well my car has been acting up and i was hoping maybe u guys could help me..for isntance when i drive car kinda rattles espcially on the highway..and it rattles..i was told maybe it was the driveshaft..now its clicking when i drove slowly and it has me concerned..i was wondering if maybe sum1 could tell me wahts going on and how much would it cost to fix? im currently at a friends house about 10mins from home..will it get there fine? i appreciate all help..thanks guys

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2003 Ford Escape
1993 Mustang Cobra *stock*
1991 Honda Civic boosted ls/vtec *toy*
1982 Dodge Diplomat *daily driver*

Might be the universal joint. Not a big deal to fix. You can probably get home okay but you should fix this as soon as possible.

Look under the car spot the u-joints , see if red-orange dust is coming from them , that means that they are dry and will fail soon.......Shake the shaft and check for excessive play.........Most of the time they will squeak instead of click.........Please take your time if driving to get it home if play is not too bad.

Bingo That idea . Thanks Ron Parker












Bagels On Juice Im On Boost

sorry about the typos..i was on a friends sidekick cell phone lol..i do appreciate all the replies..i didnt check for play or any red colored looking dust but i did drive her home like a bat outta hell cause i had a friend following me incase she decided to become undrivable..which never happened..it was kinda foolish but i use to have a dodge pickup with a slant 6 and 3 on the tree and it took every ounce of abuse i could throw at it..the dip isnt the best looking car but its my daily..starts up right uh way..my girl drives the truck and the other 2 cars remain garage kept..so i wanna do what i can do possible to keep this car i bought for under $200 with under 90k in tip top condition cause i know it will last forever..regardless if its a old lady looking car =) ok so i would guess the U joint connects the drift shaft to the rear assembly? or to the tranny? or should i just replace both? i live in Reading, PA and temps are in the teen or lower lol so should i just replace front and rear and what em i looking at price wise? if no1's sure i can always become unlazy and check for myself..also whats the time period for completing a job like this? again thanks for the replies..hope u all have a kickass week =)

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2003 Ford Escape
1993 Mustang Cobra *stock*
1991 Honda Civic boosted ls/vtec *toy*
1982 Dodge Diplomat *daily driver*

Three Options
1) Find somebody with a press (or really big Vice, not the best idea) and do it all yourself. $20-25 bucks.

2) Go to your favorite parts store, bye the U joints (there are two, front and back of drive shaft) spend the extra few dollars and get the good ones that claim no need for grease. Undo the rear bolts and retainers that hold the pinion to the rear u joint (make sure you use some white out to mark the position on the drive shaft and pinion when removed) drop the drive shaft and slide it out of the transmission (again marking the fronts to reassemble the same way). Tape the u joints with some electrical tape, and head on over to a machine shop. In LA it cost me $30 Total to press in the new u joints. Reinstall. $50-$60.

3) Have a garage do it. $100-150. Figure 1 hour labor $70, $40 parts, $30 Machine shop.

Regards,

Tim

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My Swinger gets the Highlight Valet Parking spot over the German sports cars on the Sunset Strip. I love my Mopar.

I've done many u-joints with a hammer, drift, and vice or even a large "C" clamp. A press is nice but hardly necessary.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

The last time I replaced my u-joints, I was at college and had nothign other than the tools I had with me and a ride to the parts store for new u-joints. I used the curb for a jack (drove one front wheel up onto it giving me just enough space to scrape the $hit out of myself going in and out from under the car). Used a small hammer and 2 4x4 blocks to get the joints out and in. Had the repair done in under an hour.

Man I'll never do that again. My car is lowered to within about 2 inches of the ground, and I had no room under it. Driving a custom car is fun, but fixing it with limited tools and no real spot to do it is not fun.

Oh and it was barely above freezing when I did it. Doable, just not exactly fun.

Hey guys i do appreciate the replies..i was on advanceauto.com and found u-joints for about $15..since were expecting about 5inches of snow or more tomorrow i wont be touching that bad boy for a few days.got a heated 2 car garage but i aint pulling any of the other 2 cars out in that $#!+. im gonna juss hammer those joints in that bad boy and hope for the best

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2003 Ford Escape
1993 Mustang Cobra *stock*
1991 Honda Civic boosted ls/vtec *toy*
1982 Dodge Diplomat *daily driver*

ok well i removed the driveshaft and a neighbor took a look at the u joints and told me they were fine. he said u can tell when there bad when they are dried up and dont move freely? so now im guessing it could be the wheel bearings? i did turn my right rear tire a little bit and heard a click..im just wondering what u guys think and if it is the wheel bearings how much of a pain in the butt is it to replace them? i also removed the rubber gromet on the differential to see if it needed fluid..i dipped my finer in there..was a little bit.. what do you guys think it could be? i know it may be confusing cause i didnt word any of this right =) but all input will be appreciated..thanks

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2003 Ford Escape
1993 Mustang Cobra *stock*
1991 Honda Civic boosted ls/vtec *toy*
1982 Dodge Diplomat *daily driver*