Universal joint question

[rbert]

How far can I drive with my universal joint making a small vibration on acceleration? I have about four hour drive to get home.

[hubcapsc]

That'll be a hard question to answer... I'd probably ride easy
and try to make it, but I don't know what kind of four hour
ride you have... I'd hate to conk out in the middle lane
of a crowed hot interstate...

Ride safe and good luck...

-Mike

[gordonv]

Do you Pray?? Might be a good time to start.

All are different. Some say they have driven over an hour on it. A fellow rider had noise on a ride, drove it the 30 min to the shop, and after they took it out and inspected, they where surprised he even made it to the shop.

Might be a good time to put that Roadside Plus service to good use. Ride it till it won't go any more, then call them up. But likehubcapsc said, depends where you are.

[da prez]

   It could also be a wheel bearing. When you get to it , do it yourself , or ask for help if you do not know for sure.
  Years ago a truck driver came into the shop saying he was not building air fast enough. I am not paying for diagnosis. Put in the air compressor and get me on the road. We did. It was about a $1200.00 repair. He paid the bill and left. When he quickly returned , yelling we installed a defective air compressor  , we asked him if he wanted us to replace the defective line air that was the real problem. Sometimes , self diagnosis is costly. Always be sure of what you tell service centers.
  Always ask to see the problem. It is your property and it is your right.

                                                da prez

[rbert]

 Thanks for the replies. Yes I would like to do the job myself so I can check all the possibilities. I should ask, Is there anyone near Vernon BC that could help me out? I have a new universal joint in my saddle bag.

[Moonshot_1]

How far can I drive with my universal joint making a small vibration on acceleration? I have about four hour drive to get home.

As said before, this is a tough question to answer as the wear on the joint could be in a critical spot or it could be in a non-critical spot.

I just had my u-joint replaced. Put hundreds of miles on it while making weird vibrations.

If the vibrations you are feeling are small or mild on acceleration and yet runs smoothly once up to speed, there is a pretty good chance your issue is in a non-critical spot. I wouldn't have an issue with a 4 hour drive with a mild vibration on acceleration. Would drive it nice and easy. Lay off drag racing the kids.

I would have great confidence in making your trip with no major problems from the u-joint.

But like any machine, it could implode at any time.

[98valk]

also check wheel dampers.

most over the yrs have stated constant vibration when it was the u-joint.

[longrider]

I can give you some help.  I've got a lift. Call me   Two50 three06 two822

[gordonv]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I would like to do the job myself so I can check all the possibilities. I should ask, Is there anyone near Vernon BC that could help me out? I have a new universal joint in my saddle bag.

Check here.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,96349.0.html

Also post in the BC forum and ask.

[rbert]

Thanks everyone, I was sent to Powerhouse customs in Revelstoke. He let me help him and we had it fixed in about 1 1/2 hrs. Great guy and great service. Good thing I found him when I did as I would not have made it home. The u joint completely trashed.
Also Thankyou Warren for the offer to help. I never seen the email until after the repair.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks everyone, I was sent to Powerhouse customs in Revelstoke. He let me help him and we had it fixed in about 1 1/2 hrs. Great guy and great service. Good thing I found him when I did as I would not have made it home. The u joint completely trashed.
Also Thankyou Warren for the offer to help. I never seen the email until after the repair.

glad it worked out. No problem getting the boot back on ? I'm sure I spent more than an hour and half on just the boot alone. 

[rbert]

I read about lots of problems with the boot. He put it on and did take no time at all. It was pretty soft yet.