Back to all

U and your U-Joints (Lubricate U-Joints)

November 3, 2024

If your vehicle’s power goes to the rear wheels, then you have something called U-joints in the drivetrain. U-joints are connectors that allow the rotating power from your vehicle’s engine to deliver its power through a driveshaft to make the rear wheels rotate.  You need U-joints because the surfaces you drive on aren’t perfectly flat, and the driveshaft has to allow for some flexibility when you are traveling over uneven surfaces.

As you can imagine, the U-joints have to move and flex a lot as your vehicle is going down the road.  They have bearings in them to allow that flexibility, and those bearings are lubricated when your vehicle is made.  Some U-joints have lifetime lubrication and are not designed to be serviced.  When they fail, they have to be replaced.  Others have grease fittings on them that need periodic lubricating by a technician at intervals recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. 

There are signs you can look for that your U-joints need attention.  You may hear a clunk when the gears shift into drive or reverse.  You may feel your vehicle vibrate as you move down the road.  Other signs are leaks at the back of your transmission or a banging sound right before you lose power.  Sometimes, though, if you wait until you notice these symptoms, the U-joints may already be damaged.  

That’s why it’s important that your vehicle’s U-joints be periodically inspected and lubricated.  At the same time, a technician should thoroughly inspect the driveshaft and other connected components.  

Keep your U-joints in good shape, and both of U will continue to enjoy years of reliable transportation.

Tuffy Kentwood (Kalamazoo Ave SE)
4384 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, Michigan 49508
616.301.1436

More articles from Tuffy Kentwood (Kalamazoo Ave. SE)

What's in a Number? (What Tire Numbers Mean)

November 10, 2024

You've probably never paid much attention to the writing on the sides of your tires, but they contain a wealth of information. There's a long combination of letters and numbers that can tell you a whole lot about what tires your vehicle was designed to be riding on. Let's check out this example... More

Easy on the Wheel (Power Steering)

October 27, 2024

Steering a vehicle these days doesn't take much effort, but if you got behind the wheel back before power steering was invented, you'd need to practically have the strength of Hercules to turn the wheel. The first power steering systems widely available changed everything. Chrysler introduced... More

Differential Service

October 20, 2024

When you're driving and turn a corner, you probably aren't aware of all that's going on with your wheels. The outside wheels have a longer distance to travel than the inside wheels, so there are gears that allow the wheels to go at different speeds when you turn. That set of gears is called a d... More