Life Of Driveshaft U-Joint

[snakemeister]

  My '97 Tourer is about to turn 100,000 and I was wondering what kind of life the U-joint in the driveshaft usually has and does it give warning before it fails. Also, what else is a threat to give trouble I the driveline.

[Chrisj CMA]

If not abused the U-joint should go well past 100,000 miles.  However as memory serves most reports of failed ones are of mileage somewhat less than 100,000.  I replaced mine at 100,000 and have that old one as a spare.

The only other weak link to the drivetrain is the splines if they are not properly cared for.

[F6Dave]

My '98 Tourer hit 170,000 miles yesterday, and the U-Joint is the original.

[Hoser]

I just replaced them both this year at 127,000 miles.  You will get some noise and vibration to clue you in if you are lucky.  I wasn't, AMA towed me home free.  Hoser 

[Tropic traveler]

Changed mine at 100,000 miles just because I was there doing maintenance. Keeping the 100K u-joint for a spare, still looked nearly new. 

[art]

My u-joint went out at 80000 miles but I do abuse the throttle. I just replaced my second one at 160000 just to be safe ( it didn't go out) . I'm keeping the old one for a spare.

[Highbinder]

I replaced mine at 100,000 +, I have 3 Valks all high mileage, there wasn't a dam thing wrong with any of the ones I replaced....I guess its just piece of mind, my thinking was, if I take it out to check it I might as well replace while I'm there.. ...the next thing I'd keep a sharp eye on is the pinion cup and drive shaft spline going to the differential...pull the shaft out of the cup and make sure its being lubed....there's a seal on the end of the shaft, in all the times I've pulled the shaft out I have never had to replace the seal...

[tank_post142]

had mine out Tuesday, everything checked good through the rear end. lube was in good shape everything tight. 450,120 miles all original.

[Jack B]

My went out at 80,000 plus miles and I like to go fast but I don't hot rod it?