So I changed both u-joints in my '05 F150 (93,000 miles) on Saturday. The front joint was the culprit and had noticeable play. The rear was tight - too tight. The two spider arms holding the plate that bolts to the pinion would barely move, and that side of the spider really didn't want to leave it's old home but I got it out with twice the persuasion the other six arms needed. The Spicer joints I bought came with three sets of spring clips. I mic-d the original clips and chose the closet match - they all seem slightly tight. Upon installation the same piece in the system (the rear plate) is as stiff as with the original joint - I really thought nothing of it since it was so stiff before; everything went back together in the truck as originally indexed. Now I've got a low rumble coming through the cab at 40 mph. I'm thinking about putting the slightly looser spring clips in those two tight spider arms to hopefully unload it (plus it's an easy experiment requiring a pair of pliers). Any advice from you guys? Thanks
In my experience, a rumbling sound is from an axle bearing (front or rear) or a pinion bearing. A bad U-joint usually squeaks, or makes a snapping/clicking sound. The tiny roller bearings in a U-joint don't actually roll around the cross shaft/pinion, they just rock back and forth.
