Should u-joint needle bearings be shoulder-to-shoulder?

[AndyG]

A well greased u joint cap fell off my rear drive shaft , no bearings fell it it seemed , but when I straightened out the needles , it seems I have a gap 2 could easily fill.

Should the needle bearings be shoulder to shoulder ? As in fill the cup?

 

[MaloStapalo]

A well greased u joint cap fell off my rear drive shaft , no bearings fell it it seemed , but when I straightened out the needles , it seems I have a gap 2 could easily fill.

Should the needle bearings be shoulder to shoulder ? As in fill the cup?

All mine have been shoulder to shoulder, front Dana 44 Ujoints and driveshaft u joint.

They have been the circumference of the cap. Good news is my local shop carried Spicer u joints and they were not costly

 

[Hawkeye]

Yeah when I replaced mine they were shoulder to shoulder

 

[AndyG]

Depression sets in....

 

[AndyG]

Thanks , regeared and can't drive it .!

Geez

 

[oldb]

You are short a couple of needles. Don't risk it. Get a new u joint.

B

 

[AndyG]

Yes , no intention of putting it in .

I pulled the other cap ..nice and full.

Odd . Must be getting old .

 

[Drizit]

If it's well greased did they fall over in the grease?

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[AndyG]

2 dry ones bounced free it seems , we found them , she's tight .



Ready to torque the carrier bolts , install cover , fluid , rotors and wheels .

 

[KCsTJ]

Thanks , regeared and can't drive it .!

Geez

Did you do the regear in your own garage/shop, and that's when the needle bearings fell out?

 

[AndyG]

Yes we found them apparently two bounced pretty far... Kind of surprised me.

Anyway they all went back together great and I regreased them and we are buttoning it up today Lord willing.