Just bought my '81 last fall, and the only miles I put on it were the 20 to get it home. It drove like crap, mostly due to bad tires. I have fixed several problems, and checked out several things, including driveshaft and halfshaft movement from underneath. I can never seem to find a bad u-joint by just twisting things around and watching for excessive play. I ordered the rear diff. mount bushings last week (bottom one is split and cracked) and pulled the driveshaft to get a headstart. One u-joint seemed fine, one a little tight. Looked at the halfshafts and thought WELL WHY NOT! (Life is so much easier with a four post lift!) Right side out, one seemed good, then a cap fell off the other one, and with a poof of rust dust, needle bearings were all over the floor. Turns out that was the GOOD side. The other shaft had one that had rusty goo inside the caps, but the other end was downright scary. The ends of the u-joint still in the halfshaft were moving around everywhich way. The bearings are obviously gone completely. I'm SO glad I pulled those halfshafts now! Otherwise, it might have made for a memorable first cruise down the highway. I don't think losing a u-joint at speed is something I ever care to experience!
Dick
Dick
