Been away for a while, just covered up at work. I decided to keep the XK8. At this point I've solved the nagging problems and it's a joy to drive....when it's running right.

But it's time for some maintenance and I've got a problem that hopefully I'm not the first to encounter.

The rear drive shaft U joint needs replacing. This is probably a Ford part (just a guess since Ford owned Jag in 1998 and there are other Ford parts on the car).

But of course the local dealer wants to sell me a complete drive shaft assembly for $2,100 plus freight and tax. And all I really need is a U joint. But can't find that part on-line of course.

Has anyone else been here before me and discovered what U joint fits?

Thanks again for all of your help. I couldn't have solved the prior problems without the assitance of many of you. It's appreciated.

Many thanks,
Oldfart

 

Is the dealer that told you it was the U joints the same one that wants to sell you the drive shaft?

xk8 u joint | eBay

 

Use this link http://jagrepair.com/images/AutoRepa...to%20%2705.pdf go to page 11 in the center column item #2 then look to the right column on the top of the page you will see the breakdown. I hope this helps.

How did you make out with the stalling?

 

hope not too much of a tangent, but are there serviceable grease nipples on those u-joints on the drive shaft?

 

Yes!

 

I just went onto JEPC & looked up the prop shaft & they do not list the universal joints. The Ebay link for the joints are for the half shafts, the part number JLM01388 is a valid part number but goes to half shaft application for many Jaguars. Your best bet may be to go to a machine shop that does truck repairs or drive shafts. They could match it up of modify the shaft to accept a replacement. If you do find a replacement joint that would be great for all of us.

 

I had both of my “U” joints on one side replaced and I did not get the assembly. I wish I had the paperwork to give you the part number but what I can tell you is that they are available.

 

Yes, and somewhat difficult to get to as a set. They are offset 180 degrees from one another and when I can reach one, access to the other is blocked. If you were on a full lift I guess you could rotate the wheels to get at them but I am stuck on the ground so it is a pain.

 

The joints you are mentioning are the half shafts, they have always been servicable. I thought he was looking for the drive shaft/prop shaft joints.

 

When he said the “rear drive shaft “U” joint” I felt he was talking about the half shafts and that is why I provided a parts listing to see if that is what we were talking about. I am unable to find a parts listing for the main drive shaft from the trans to the rear differential.

 

This is what I did find

 

Fart,

I'm glad to hear that your long nightmare from last fall seems to be over (knock on wood..tap, tap).

Please tell us more about how you got everything resolved. Maybe find that old thread and update it (unless you've already done that...I could have missed it). I remember you had such a multi-layered mystery on your hands, with not much local assistance...it would help us all if you told us what the problem(s) actually turned out to be.

 

I had the car up this weekend, and couldn't find any zero fittings on the propshatft u-joint. Well at least I didn't miss that one by mistake...half shafts were lubed a few months ago myself.

 

Just to embellish what Gus provided. The drive shaft has a jurid coupler. There are no u joints on the drive shaft they are rather on the half axle's, off the rear end to the tire spindles.

They should have grease fittings. This comes to many a surprise that these are even there. You have to know they are there just to spot them. Easy to grease if the whole rear end is in the air. This way you can rotate the tires to get your gun on them.

Hope this helps. I have spoken to my Jag guy and he said the jurid couplers rarely fail.

 

Not trying to disagree with you M-M-Max(Headroom), but there is a U-joint coupling between the aft end of the drive shaft and the flange that attaches to the differential. There is a jurid in the same location on the XJ series.

Paranoimia (feat. Max Headroom) - Art Of Noise - YouTube

 

There is also a u-joint showing in the diagram plain as day at the front end of the propeller shaft.

You can also hit the grease nipples while flat on the ground. Just figure out where the nipples are, mark on the outside of the tire, jockey the car until the nipples are facing the direction you need, lie down in the dirt, hit the nipples.

BTW, not all cars have the nipples at 180* opposites. Some have them on the same face. Just luck of the draw on assembly.

 

In my younger years when universal joints were not equipped with a grease fitting we would drill and tap the U joints, ball joints and apply grease to prevent a failure. Without seeing the propshaft up close I am assuming the U joint is without a fitting and not replaceable. What are the feelings of the forum about installing a fitting?

 

Thus the reason for Max Headroom. speaking with out making sense sometimes. I recall my thinking of why I thought there was not a u joint on the prop shaft. "MY" noises weren't coming from the front but the rear. I was speaking from my experience and not fully looking at the drawing as a whole. Thus the incorrect comment.

Enjoyed the video. I needed it this morning, already!

 

Gus,
Been looking for a chance to use this one for some time -
Jaguar don't list a propshaft UJ as a separate part. They have the propshaft as a non-serviceable item!

Haven't had the need to closely inspect mine but it must be the standard UJ design secured with circlips and not peened in?

Graham

 

I will look at it and let you know.