1941 cadillac driveshaft universal joints

[afeltham]

have run into what may be bad u-joints?? --- 80,000 mi on car...sounds like bad front wheel bearings but have replaced them and noise is  still there...sounds like it is coming from just rear of transmission - worse cold than warmed up---ideas?? definitely a rotational sound, but not engine

[Dave Shepherd]

Shake/twist the dr shaft, see if you can see any looseness there in the joint.

[afeltham]

Could it be anything else?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The first sign of bad Universal Joints id sharp clicking, when going from forward to reverse.

This is when the Needle Rollers are trying to destroy themselves as they "Click" into the grooves within the cap or the journal.

I would be getting under the car, "after putting it up on Jackstands" and physically trying to do as Dave suggested.

Bruce.

[Glen]

It has been my experience that drive shaft noise wile driving at slow speed is a “squeak â€" squeak” sound.  Not a continuous sound like a wheel bearing.     As Bruce said it also makes a clang when shifting from forward to reverse or vice versa. 

Glen

[Bill Ingler #7799]

As has been suggested, jack the rear of the car up and put on jack stands. Check drive shaft and also start car and put in gear. Then check each rear wheel for noise. Could be a bad axle bearing. If it is a bad axle bearing and after you pull the axle, get someone with a press to remove the old bearing and press on the new. Many an axle has been ruined by trying to use a hand punch and in the process you ding the axle surface where the oil seal rides. If you do remove the axle, re-torque the axle nut to 285-315lbs. A loose axle nut could give a clunk sound when you put the car in gear as the axle key is striking against the brake drum causing the noise.

[afeltham]

Thanks all for guidance. My parts supplier claims there are 3 sets of u joints on a 1941 6219 - the center being one set which i do not see - can anyone please verify this? Thanks. Alan Feltham CLC# 11926

[Bob Schuman]

Alan,
The 41-6219 does not have three universal joints, it has two, one at each end of the driveshaft. Both joints are the same, and can be replaced by simply unbolting the old joint and replacing it with a new one. Part numbers are: Carquest#3-3152, Wesco#N3000G, or Motormaster#3031H.
If your car has a Hydramatic transmission, it also has a slipjoint in the driveshaft a short distance behind the transmission, which could cause noise if badly worn. On manual transmission cars(other than the long wheelbase Series 67 and 75) the slip joint is where the front yoke of the driveshaft slides into the transmission.
Bob Schuman,CLC#254

[afeltham]

Bob Shuman,
Thank you. At this point, have changed front wheel bearings, U joints appear to be ok, but still have significant vibration - any further ideas?
(1941 Cadillac 6219D 4 door sedan manual tranny)Alan Feltham Member #11926

[buicksplus]

Check the rear axle bearings, you'll need a huge wrench and a hub puller to get the brake drums off.  After that access to the bearings is easy.  They are not all that expensive (I have bought them at NAPA), but they need to be pressed on.  I suggest you just change them, it can be hard to identify a bad one when you can't spin them under load.

Try swerving the car while coasting and listen for a change in the noise, often front or rear wheel bearings will change tone when turning side to side.

I doubt if is the U-joints. By the time they are bad enough to make noise they usually are quite sloppy to the touch.  It could also the the rear transmission shaft bearing or the differential pinion bearing, but I have not seen many failures with those bearings, I  think they are very lightly loaded compared to the rear axle bearings.

Good look, keep searching!