2006-06-29 04:17:39 · 12 answers · asked by gusslor 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
That would be universal joints. They help to transfer power to the wheels from the transmission while allowing the front wheels on the car to go up and down (on front drive cars) or they connect the drive shaft to the transmission on rear wheel cars. They are covered by a plastic "boot" that holds the grease around the joint. When the boot fails (tears open or leaks) the grease will leak out and the universal joint will eventually fail. Have it replaced as soon as possible as a failed universal joint can result in a breakdown.
2006-06-29 04:25:20 · answer #1 · answered by Answer King 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A U-Joint is short for a Universal Joint. Think of it as being similar to the joint at the base of your thumb that allows the thumb to rotate in a circular fashion. The U-Joint or U-Joints (often there are two) essentially allow the manufacturer to design the car so that the transmission and the differential need not be precisely in line with one another in the drive train. Just as your thumb joints allow you to wrap it around corners, so do the U-Joints allow the drive train to conduct turning force from the end of the transmission to the differential around small bends under the car.
When the U-Joints fail they can snap in two and the transmission will no longer then be linked to the rear wheels--and accordingly your car will no longer be able to move.
2006-06-29 11:35:32 · answer #2 · answered by anonymourati 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For some clarification; U-joints are use on rear wheel drive cars. Constant velosity joints are used on front wheel drive cars & are not u-joints. A few stupid manufactures have used CVjoints on rear wheel drive cars in the past, but they tend to where out faster then u-joints. As others have said & any auto repair book will state; if the u-joints are bad, replace them. they can cause more serious damage & even be dangerous if they fail.
2006-06-29 12:19:24 · answer #3 · answered by No! Freedom of speech is abused 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, U-joints are flexible connectors on each end of a drive shaft which transfers power from your transmission to the rear axle. If one breaks your car won't go. Also if you have an automatic trans your car would still roll in PARK. This is not a difficult repair for a shop and is a relatively low skill job on a rear wheel drive car for a do it yourself-er. If you're on a budget ask your local gear-head to help you out.
2006-06-29 11:33:02 · answer #4 · answered by 70 FORD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a u-joint fails, your car will no longer move. Depending upon which one(s) fail and when they fail, you may do extensive damage to your car when they break.
U-joints transmit the power to the drive wheels from the transmission. They allow for the fact that the drive train is not a straight line. This is very obvious in a front wheel drive vehicle since the drive wheels also steer the car.
2006-06-29 11:33:10 · answer #5 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on a car this means this is probabaly a front-wheel-drive. do you hear a clicking when you turn? that's the u-joints (AKA CV {constant velocity} joints). the transmission is really a trans-axle, meaning the axles that drive the car are attached directly to the transmittion. for steering, these axle parts must "bend". so the axle has a joint in it that "bends". if you have seen a socket set that has an adapter in it that bends...this is the same concept in your CV joints. if not replaced, thay can eventally lock up, or the joint can fall apart and your car goes nowhere.
2006-06-29 11:27:26 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U joints or universal joints transfer rotations from your engine to your driveshaft. If they are breaking down, they should be fixed ASAP. It can be an expensive job, I just had mine done acouple of months ago, but it is a lot cheeper than it would cost to fix your car if a u joint goes.
2006-06-29 11:26:38 · answer #7 · answered by Eric K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U joints connect your motor to the wheels (specifically your drive shaft to the transmission, differential, and half shafts). A bad U-joint is B.A.D. It can cause vibrations that can damage other MUCH more expensive parts (transmission, differential, drive and half shafts). If a mechanic says that your U-joints are going bad and you trust him, have them replaced. It will save you trouble down the road.
2006-06-29 11:23:57 · answer #8 · answered by bablunt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The U joints connect the transmission to the rear end. If they break....the car will not go anywhere and if on a hill ....putting it in park will not keep it still.
2006-06-29 11:22:19 · answer #9 · answered by Bear Naked 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the u - joint is a hing like peace that gos on your drive shaft that runs from tran. to rear end if it brakes it wont go any where and if you are moving and the front joint brakes it can make your car flip
2006-06-29 11:26:02 · answer #10 · answered by whiteeagle_1975_2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋