UNIVERSAL JOINT TROUBLE SHOOTING ss ST ill AE is Ameridrives::2'2 AN AMERIDRIVES INTERNATIONAL COMPANYAMERIDRIVES UNIVERSAL JOINT Trouble Shooting The purpose of this guide is to offer a general failure analysis which can be performed through a visual inspection of worn or failed universal joint components. Following is a parts description breakdown along with a list of the most common problems, probable causes, and necessary corrective action for universal joints. INGE YOKE TAINS RING HING AND LUBE FYTDOMG CARING ASSEOLY RUNNION (BEARING ABEA OF CROSS) ‘wnvesrn ine ACTALHING SEARING ASSEMBLYProblem Probable Cause Corrective Action | Complete Unit Excessive lubrication escaping past ‘Seals not compatible with Replace seal with seal suited to seals environment. ‘operating environment. Avoid damaging seals during ‘Seal damaged during assernbly. ‘assembly procedures. Tighiness in bearings Wom bearing surfaces or tight fits. Replace bearings. Deformed crosses and yokes from Replace yokes and crosses if they high loads. are deformed. ‘Caked lubrication Indicates lubrication is breaking Replace bearings it necessary. down. Lubrication may breakdown due to Use an uncontaminated lubrication ‘contamination or high operating recommended by lubrication temperature. manufacturer. I high operating ‘temperatures exist contact the lubrication manufacturer. ‘Noise or vibration ‘Wom bearings, Keys, splines, bent Repair or replace damat ‘shaft, or loose connections on the: ‘components. A balanced universal universal joint, joint may be required. Excessive backlash ‘Worn splines or bearings. Replace damaged components. Overheating Insufficient lubrication, excessive Determine cause and correct. loads, wor beavings, excessive ‘operating speeds. ‘Continued operation at excessive temperatures may result in bearing fall. Crosses Fractured or distorted cross “Torque overloads, over misalignment, or axial overloads. Check all drive train components for Joint size to match ratings. Check ‘actual misalignment. Reduce ‘misaignmentif it exceeds the universal int capaci, heck fange to flange or shaft to ott length requirement and universal joint length capacity, Correct required.Problem Probable Cause Corrective Action Yokes Fracture Excessive loads ‘Check universal joint loads against rating. Reduce loads or increase $e if required. Distorted Excessive loads Check distance between retainer grooves in yoke eyes in four bearing eye places to determine if distored. Replace yoke and bearing assemblies if distorted. Reduce loads or increase universal joint size if necessary. Trunnion and Bearing Surfaces Brinalling Mibration or shock False brinelling appears as bright rectangular marks and is Joading ‘caused by intemal bearing vibration. Correct by isolating bearings and using greases with antwear additives. True brineling & caused by static or impact loads which exceed elastic imit ol the material. Bearing surfaces with indications of tue brineting must be replaced. Spaling High dynamic Spallng isa fatigue fallue of beaving surfaces resulting from loading high loading. Check load rating on universal joint. Bearing replacement is required, Blue or black ‘Overheating ‘Overheating results from lubrication failure. Lack of lubrication surfaces and excessive speeds are two causes of kibication failure. Flepiace bearings and increase frequency of lubrication, liregular dents on Lubiication This is a common cause of bearing failure and resuits when an surface coniaination abresive substance is present on a loaded bearing surtace. Feplace bearings and elminate sources of contarination. Galling on end of Excessive or (Check angles, runnouts, and lubrication. Comect as required trumion uneven angles, ‘Outof balance ‘assembly. Lubication failure, Corosion Lubrication ‘Greases contaminated with corrosives can pit and discolor coniamination bbeaing surfaces. If piting s present in nor-oad carrying frees, corrosion isa probable cause, Check both grease and seas. ‘Note: The causes of bearing failures are dificult to determine f the surlaces are not examined in the early stages of failure, The inital failure mode may introduce ecictional failure modes. — AMEHIAPIVES 222.2280. INTERNATIONAL (614) 489-5000 Form 364-SH, 1297, 4