Rear universal problem

[dusty127]

Hello All.

Last October I purchased my MU. (1994 manual 2.8l tdi)

Now my mechanic has told me I need to get a new rear universal because it is very worn and unsafe. I'm surprised because I can't hear any noise from it when driving and everything feels fine. Naturaly I'm still going to get it replaced, but here's the problem. I can't get hold of one. Even Isuzu parts in NZ doesn't have one on hand.
Has anyone else had a rear universal problem?
Does anyone know if there are alternatives to an original - Will a jackaroo universal fit?
I'm kind of stuck and I can't imagine having to scrap my MU after owning it for such a short time.

Thanks in advance. Dusty.

[geeves]

Same as Hilux or Jackeroo.
To check the ujoint yourself to make sure your mechanic isnt telling porkies climb under and grb both sides of the joint and try and move it every direction you can think of. Any movement in the joint is a fail.
Ive had 2 fail The second only caused a very slight vibration that I put up with for over a month but the first shook so muck you couldnt drive over 60kph Both joints had smashed the bearing cups and had a huge amount of play.

[dusty127]

Thanks heaps greeves!

I knew there had to be a simple answer. Now I just have to convince my mechanic that a Hilux or Jackeroo will do the trick.

Which model/year Jackaroo hilux/Jackaroo should I tell my mechanic to source it from? I trust they are not all using the same universal?

I'm very thankfull for this club. It's so disheartening when mechanics blame you for buying a non standard car and leave you hanging when they don't know where to find the answers.

If this works I'll be making a donation with some of the money I save.

[geeves]

Even in Aus there are lots of Mus and they share just about all there mechanicals with the Rodeo. If your mechanic cant or wont bother to work this out then get a new one.
Dont know what models are the same but going for the same year would be probably right

[daisy]

ive just done my front driveshaft universals and i got replacements
by taking the old ones and the driveshaft into the local bearing
shop to measure up. do both ends! they cost me $56 each which
thought was ok? they have grease nips to which the others didnt.

[dusty127]

Thanks Geeves and daisy.

I've booked my MU in with a new mechanic. This one said he'll take it apart and then find something that fits or he'll take it to a bearings place.