Snap ring failure, tossed a cap

[1985_K5_Silverado]

motoring along at a steady 35, THUNK!!! on the bed floor; THUMPTHUMPTHUMP immediately thereafter. I first thought blowout, but it still still steered and rolled fine. Pulled over and shut down. Took a look underneath and saw that the rear u-joint had tossed a cap and started to shake like mad. No big deal, easy fix. It could have been more eventful, but I wasn't going very fast when the snap ring apparently failed.

 

[Leper]

Did it fail, or did you forget it?? I forgot one once, spit the dshaft out at 70 mph.

 

[1985_K5_Silverado]

Did it fail, or did you forget it?? I forgot one once, spit the dshaft out at 70 mph.

Nope, they were on there when the nearby front u-joint was replaced a couple of months ago. I should have done them both at that time, even though the rear looked and operated all right, just because even a top-quality u-joint is a relatively cheap part and I had no idea of how old either u-joint was. You live and learn.

 

[sweetk30]

when i drop a shaft for a joint it gets both or all 3 if its a 2 peice shaft. at least it didnt drop and take out other parts.