Well I removed what appeared to be worn U joints. When I took the caps off all of the neddle bearings looked clean and well greased.. I run half round yokes all the way back to the rear rear where i have full rounds. The U joint cap appears to be spinning in the half round although i just re tightend the 12 point 1/2 bolts.. Are these considerd bad? Although the needle bearings look good clean and greased?
u need to check them while they are installed on the truck. get under the truck and push upward and pull downward on the tailshaft/propshaft, and if you feel any upward or downward movement then the u-joint needs replacing. testing the u-joint off the truck is too hard to check, but the caps should be almost and if not imposible to rotate by hand.
you can buy replacment bands with bolts --that will tighten them up--or--you can use some shim stock to lay around the cup then bolt it together--good idea to use removeable lock tite on the bolts---as long as the bearing surface isnt worn--or spalled--you should be ok---i am not a fan of those 1/2 rounds just for that reASON
The easiest way to check if a U joint is failing is, after a trip, go under with an infrared heat gun and shoot all of the caps. If one is considerably hotter than the others, it's hooped.
Last time I greased mine I did notice some up and down play, but once I pumped It ful of grease it went away. I didn't know if alittle play was normal or not, guess maybe I should get a new u-joint. Very good idea! I have actually had the bolts on the cap come loose and the u-joint spun out of the half round while I was driving. Luckily it didn't damage anything beyond the joint.
