I recently started to experience a vibration in the drivetrain so I took the Jeep to the dealer to see what they thought it might be. They diagnosed it as the transfer case end u-joint on my rear drive shaft (Tom Woods). The driveshaft is only a year and a half old. Considering the quality of the shaft and the good reputation of the company does this not seem alittle soon to need to replace the u-joint? Or does the dealer just have it all wrong?

 

If it is the ujoint then the angle or shaft configuration may not be correct. That seem way to soon for a Tom woods shaft. Does it feel look when it is unloaded?

 

It does happen. Have you had your driveshaft serviced since you bought it? You should make sure all the joints are properly greased, because next time you may not feel any vibrations, until a bearing locks up and the T-case goes Kaboom!

Edit: Not sure how much salt they use on the roads up there but that will eat up a U-joint faster.

 

Supposed to grease and service them regularly if you offroad in wet or harsh conditions. And grease them at least every other oil change!!

 

honestly, what tom woods does right is have good information on his website and offer good service to his customers. as far as his drive shafts go, they are far from the gold that some people make them out to be and prone to having problems just like anything. could the u-joint be going bad already? sure - it happens.

 

Do you ever sleep?!? Lol!! It's like midnight here!! Yeah I agree I've seen on some of my "other" off road vehicles go bad at different times!!

 

I agree, Tom Woods builds custom shafts not custom u-joints. He buys off the shelf u-joints, as everybody else does. Even new stuff goes bad. The best you can do is ensure proper install and grease the joints (proper maintenance). If that has been done the "blame" would be on the manufacturer of the u-joint not the shaft maker.

 

On my coast shaft, I had a u joint go out after 7 months. The cause was the nut on the transfer case yoke wast torque properly. Gave to much in and out play in the shaft under load. Replaced, retorqued, and everything is good to go.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll replace it and hope for the best!

 

I sure tom woods uses spicer u-joints like every driveshaft company. Don't they use alot of salt on the roads in Alberta? This is probley what caused the Joint to go.