[urq] U Joint Replacement

[Frank de Kat]

The hanger bearing on a urq (or 4kq) is supposed to put the drive shaft 
around here:
http://www.frankdekat.com/pics/hanger2.jpg

However, on my 'new' urq it had sagged to look like this, and was giving 
kind of funny 'thumping' sounds when starting from a stop..
http://www.frankdekat.com/pics/hanger1.jpg

Time to change the hanger bearing.  (That is  known to be a direct 
replacement, using BMW part number 26-12-1-209-532.)

Now I though it may be handy to have a spare U-joint while in there, 'just 
in case'.  A few months ago, Louis Alain & Brady had posted some of their 
U-joint research. I though it prudent to take a chance on ordering one..

"The correct NEAPCO u-joint part number for a type 85 propshaft u-joint is 
2-0382. It cross-references to Precision u-joint part number 408 and Suzuki 
part numbers 27200-53830 or 27200-66810 or 27200-83820. It is from all 
sorts of Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara, XL7, etc. If the parts counter droid 
insists that you tell him what car it's for, the easiest one to ask for is 
the driveshaft u-joint on an 02-06 Suzuki XL7. It applies to 2WD and 4WD 
since it seems there is only one u-joint on those driveshafts, and it's at 
the front (right behind the transfer case or tranny) of the propshaft. The 
only difference is that now the grease fitting is on the end of a cap, as 
opposed to the Lobro, which had it in the cross."

So, I pulled the driveshaft out, and separated the two pieces. Looks like 
the ujoint was the original Lobro Bit:
http://www.frankdekat.com/pics/lobro2.jpg

And wouldn't you know it:  moving the now free yoke around, it felt a bit 
notchy. Time to take apart the ujoint. Look what we find!
http://www.frankdekat.com/pics/lobro3.jpg

Yes, the left bearing was probably dried out..
http://www.frankdekat.com/pics/lobro4.jpg

The ujoint ordered against the above part number fit perfectly, and now the 
driveline is a lot tighter, and no more 'thumping' when starting out..  :-)

Thanks very much Louis-Alain & Brady for your research efforts!

Regards,

=Frank de Kat=