[38Chevy454]

Took my T/C out on approx 200 miles one-way short camping trip this past weekend and on the return Sun afternoon, about 1 hour from home, a U-joint cup decided to depart the yoke. Big bang and then large vibration, thought i had a tire issue. Pulled to side of the freeway and all tires seemed good shape. Exit was about 0.5 mile up so limped to exit and nearby parking lot, where I found the U-joint with one of the cups missing and carrier bearing with rubber all squished out. My theory is the two bolts holding the cup in the yoke came out, let the cup depart, and then the vibration messed up the carrier bearing. The actual bearing in carrier was OK, just the rubber all distorted and pushed out of the outer frame. I could drive 10 mph without too much clunking and vibration, the driveshaft was still connected sort of with 3 of the 4 bearing cups and 1 loose. It had fresh grease and was not the usual dry dust inside the U-joint like typical failure, just a kind of freak thing that happened, not due to lack of PM.

Since it was Sunday, and all truck parts places closed, had to limp approx 4 miles at 10 mph to a Wal Mart parking lot to spend the night. Had to miss an extra day of work Mon. Found a mobile repair guy Mon morning that was local and he gave me a good deal on the repair, $300 for labor and $322 for parts, and no mileage road service charge. I could not do the repair myself, did not have the tools with me, or any vehicle towed behind to even drive to get parts. Especially no socket for the big nut that holds the carrier bearing.

So in the end, about 24 hours delay getting home, and $622 in repair costs. Found a good repair guy if I ever decide something is more than I can handle at home, he also has a regular shop to go with the mobile truck. I am just glad the damage was not worse or more involved like a damaged yoke or driveshaft letting loose at 70 mph.