M38A1 U joints

Casey B · #1 08-07-12, 12:38

1953 CDN Jeep. Took it for another short drive and can here some not a lot of chattering from underneath even when coasting and out of gear. i suspect it's the U joints.

Anyone have a present day Part # for thes and are all 4 the same.

Also the tranfer case lever for high and low range when pushed all the way forward is just barely engaged so if it is nudged backwads even slighty another sort of chattering occurs. Is this an adjustment issue or is it just worn...?

Thanks Casey

rob love · #2 08-07-12, 16:15

U joints will usually make a "squeak squeak" noise which will get faster as the vehicle accelerates. You will hear this noise often at malls, especially with the 4 wheel drive vehicles going by.

The U joints on all jeeps were basically the same since the early 40s and right through to the mid 80s that I know of. You can go to Canadian tire and ask for U joints that fit a 1980 CJ7 and you will get the same U joint.

The transfer case is a different story, since there is no adjustment to the shifter. Possible that you have a loose or bent fork on the shift rail, but it can just as possibly be wear. Good part is the transfer case is not hard to remove, disassemble and rebuilt. All parts are available for them, and complete transfer cases are not that hard to find either.

Casey B · #3 08-07-12, 16:56

Thanks Rob I'll put it up on stands and allow it to idle and run in first gear and see if I can locate the chatter from undeneath...hair is too short to get caught in the prop shaft so I should be fine! haha.

rob love · #4 08-07-12, 17:10

Without the load of the jeep on the powertrain, that may not work.

While you have it up though, it's an easy task to check the U joints. Any play on any cap means you must replace that U joint. Usually, by the time they start squeeking, they are missing most or all of the needles in one or more of the caps.

Stan Leschert · #5 08-07-12, 21:06

Just pop over to Aircare and get them to put it on the Dyno. You'll probable have to pay the testing fee, but you get a chance to inspect the jeep under load conditions.

maple_leaf_eh · #6 09-07-12, 04:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan Leschert

Just pop over to Aircare and get them to put it on the Dyno. You'll probable have to pay the testing fee, but you get a chance to inspect the jeep under load conditions.

Where is the LIKE button on this forum? Good idea.

r.morrison · #7 09-07-12, 06:08

Casey: We had a noise factor from under our 67 model and it turned out to be the hand brake which for some reason loosens up over time. We put a spring on it to keep it from rattling, but not to hinder the brake and it went away. However, I can't dispute what the others have contributed. Food for thought when your under there. Robert

rob love · #8 10-07-12, 21:49

Easy way to test the handbrake for noise is to partially apply it. We used to install the spring in service and it was a quick and effective fix. All original and new parts will work also, but the spring is a lot cheaper.

Casey B · #9 11-07-12, 17:19

Yes! It was the hand brake. Didn't have it fully retracted. Only one tooth of pressure on disc enough to just catch it a little and rattle the mechanism. The new shoes are so close.
So didn't have to put it up on blocks and took it for a quick drive up and down the hills where we live and it ran well and quiet. Thanks for the great advice. Now it's wait for the plates...Please please ICBC Ha ha!

Stan Leschert · #10 14-07-12, 08:23

We had the exact same problem on the M135.

The Tupperware box in which we keep the spare flags, slid under the E-Brake lever.
Brake heated, Passengers sick from smell....
No permanent damage, but premature wear occured.

Thank God it was a short trip!