ArvinMeritor offers these suggestions to keep your drive shaft and U-joints functioning properly:
1. Check for excess tolerances before lubing application. Lube may mask, or hide excessive play and tolerances.
2. U-Joint maximum end play is .006 in.; more than that will result in failure.
3. Slip movement, up and down, maximum allowance is .017 in.; more than that will result in failure.
4. Dents, missing weights, dirt and foreign material buildup on shaft can cause vibration and balance issues, resulting in failure that can also cause damage to transmission and axle.
5. Determine type of bearings. Center bearings, new self-aligning style, have gold colored collar without deflectors. Self-align style became available in 2002 and will allow +/- 5° angle of deflection.
6. Know your driveshaft: Driveshaft standard slip application has splines that face the power source and end yoke. Driveshaft outboard slip assembly has splines that face toward rear of application.
7. Phasing: mark slip position with paint stripe during disassembly to make sure that you reassemble it in the same position and phasing to avoid timing and vibration issues.
8. Lubrication basic procedures: U-joints –– make sure that grease purges at all four seals to ensure that old grease does not contaminate new grease or create potential chemical incompatibility. For slip splines, 6 to 8 pumps from the grease gun are acceptable.
9. Refer to maintenance manual for additional information regard torque specifications and trouble-shooting information.
