rog

iTrader: (2)

Was checking the car over last night, seems like a bit of play at the UJ just where it bolts onto the rear diff. Don't have much experience with this, so i don't know if it's excessive or not.
It's not wobbling about drastically, but there is noticable play and i presume it would be worse under any kind of load. I do intend to replace it anyway, just wondering how urgently i should treat it as i have other stufff i need to do aswell.

Captain Cotswold

Morning mate.
To be honest, you don't really want ANY play in the uj spider bearings. If you have a little, you'll need to be driving to suit.
ie; Don't side step the clutch to launch it.
The force coming down to your diff through the prop to get it all turning will 'take up' the slack in a worn spider/bearing. If the slack is too big, and the request to turn the diff too urgent the possibility is that the shock will snap the spider rather than turning your rear wheels and moving your mini-cab forward.
Hope that helps you decide mate.

I also own a 4x4 cosworth minicab.....

Captain Cotswold

Before anyone jumps on me, the breakage could occur on either the prop to diff flange where the casting for the bearings are, or on the prop where the castings for the bearing are, or total collapse of the bearings themselves. Exploding uj spider is worse case scenario......
You really don't want any risk of your prop getting up close and personal with the tarmac while you're driving...

ajamesc

a prop sharft uj should have no wear in it all u could take the small grub screw out that will be on it and put in a grease nipple and grease it if its a very small amount on play. Also make shore it is the uj and not movemement in the flage its self as the nut can come lose in which case u will need a new nut and flange seal