Universal Joints
Why Choose Us?
Quality Guaranteed
A modern enterprise specialized in development, design, manufacture, sale and service for agricultural machinery transmission systems, including agricultural pto shaft (driveline), gearbox, and other accessories in complete series.
Rich Experience
Over decades' development and great efforts, Changheng has become one of the biggest manufacturers in the field of Agricultural PTO shaft.
Advanced Equipmen
We've developed our own line of forging, machining, assembly, plastic injection, etc. And we have our own CE testing facilities like Torque, Frozen and UV tester. We also designed our own Square testbay with monitered gearboxes and PTO shafts running over 1000 hours.
Definition of Universal Joints
Part of the driveline system, universal joints are critical to the ride and handling of your vehicle. An X-shaped part with a bearing at each end, u-joints serve as a connecting point to allow the driveshaft to have lateral and up-and-down movement. Without the universal joint, it would be hard for the vehicle to have any wheel travel to handle bumps, potholes or other road hazards.
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Benefits of Universal Joints
Flexibility: Universal joints can handle misalignments and angular variations, allowing for smoother operation and reduced stress on the system.
Torque Transmission: Universal joints efficiently transmit torque between shafts, even when not in perfect alignment. This capability enables power transfer in systems where shafts may be positioned at different angles or have varying rotational speeds.
Compact Design: Universal joints are relatively compact, making them suitable for applications with limited space. Their compact size allows for easy integration into mechanical systems without significant modifications.
Reduced Wear and Tear: Universal joints can help dampen vibrations and shocks transmitted between shafts, thereby reducing wear and tear on the system and improving overall durability.
Versatility: Universal joints are versatile and can be used in various applications across different industries. They can accommodate various shaft orientations and rotational movements, making them suitable for diverse mechanical systems.
Cost-Effectiveness: Universal joints are often cost-effective, offering an efficient and affordable solution for transmitting torque and accommodating misalignments in mechanical systems.
The working principle of a universal joint is based on using two yokes, each attached to one of the shafts to be coupled, and a cross-shaped connecting piece called a cross-pin that links the two yokes together. The cross-pin is mounted in bearings in the yokes, allowing it to rotate and swivel, allowing the shafts to move and rotate relative to each other.
When torque is applied to one of the shafts, it is transmitted through the universal joint to the other shaft, causing it to rotate. As the relative orientation of the two shafts changes, the cross-pin can rotate and swivel in the bearings in the yokes, allowing the universal joint to accommodate these changes while transmitting torque and allowing the shafts to rotate. This allows the universal joint to provide a flexible and versatile coupling between the two shafts, allowing them to move and rotate freely in different directions while transmitting torque.
Where are Universal Joints Used?
Universal joints predate modern engineering by centuries. For as long as humans have been producing power – such as through wind or water mills – universal joints have been used to transmit power. These days, universal joints are found in some of the world's most common machinery types, including
Vehicles
Universal joints are commonly found in the prop shaft of rear-wheel and four-wheel drive cars. The prop shaft runs from the gearbox at the front of passenger vehicles back to the rear axle. Placing a universal joint at either end of the shaft allows power to be transmitted without bending or snapping the shaft as the rear axle moves on its suspension.
Marine
Passenger vehicles and trucks aren't the only vehicles that use prop shafts. Boats and other marine craft commonly use propeller shafts to transfer power from the engine to the propeller where the two components are out of plane.
Machinery
Mining, manufacturing, agriculture and a wide variety of materials handling technologies all require universal joints to transfer power from their motors to the final consumer. Universal joints designed for machinery and manufacturing applications are typically far more robust than those used in vehicles and are often expected to stand up to harder use and higher-powered equipment.
Applications of Universal Joints
Universal joints differ based on their material form and hub type. A positive mechanical joint is used to connect shafts. They are commonly seen in the propeller shafts of rearwheel-drive cars. These are used for the purpose of transmitting motion, power, or both.
The joints with thermoplastic body members are used in light industrial applications because they offer advantages such as self-lubricating features, lightweight, negligible reactivity, corrosion resistance, and the ability to operate at high speeds.
These joints are commonly used in applications of aircraft, control mechanisms, electronics, instrumentation, medical and optical instruments, armaments, radios, sewing machines, textile machinery, and tool drives.
Parts of a Universal Joints
As the name suggests, a universal joint comprises two parts: two yokes and the spider.
Driving Yoke and Driven Yoke
The driving yoke connects the input shaft to the u-joint, while the driven yoke connects the output shaft. These two yokes are connected by the spider, which allows for the relative movement necessary to accommodate changes in the angle between the shafts.
Spider
A cross member connects the yokes on either side of the spider. The shaft can be rotated at different angles with this setup. If the input shaft is straight, it will rotate the cross, making the output shaft rotate. You can see that both input and output shafts will have equal rotational speed.
Universal Joint Materials
Universal joints are available in thermoplastic body members or steel. Those made of thermoplastic body members have significant advantages, such as:
Lightweight;
Negligible backlash;
Corrosion-resistant;
High-speed operation.
These are typically used in light industrial applications.
Steel joints have a maximum load-carrying capacity for a given size.
Universal joints can be made from almost any material which helps in their application. Stainless steel and naval brass are common materials as well.
For particular construction usage, ball-jointed universals are also available. These are used in high-speed operation and for carrying large torques.
Universal Joints Failure Signs
Clunking or thudding sounds
Loud clunking or thudding noises while shifting gears or accelerating may point to a failing universal joint.
Vibration
As universal joints wear, they can introduce vibrations into the vehicle, especially at high speeds.
Play in the driveshaft
If there is noticeable play or movement in the driveshaft, it could be a sign of universal joint wear.
A propeller shaft, or propshaft, connects the rear axle to the gearbox on front-engined rear-wheel-drive cars. At each end of the propshaft there is a universal joint (UJ), which allows the rear axle to move up and down in relation to the gearbox without bending or snapping the shaft.
Some propshafts also have a universal coupling fitted at the centre. A universal joint consists of a cross-shaped 'spider' with needle roller bearings held on its four arms by caps and circlips. The yoked ends of two shafts have lugs which engage with the spider arms and can pivot on the roller bearings .
In most modern cars the joints are sealed for life and cannot be lubricated. In older cars, they can be dismantled from the propshaft, checked and lubricated or replaced. If the propshaft joints on your car have grease nipples, check with the manufacturer's service schedule for greasing intervals.
The main drawback with many current car models is that the universal joints cannot normally be separated from the propshaft. When the joints wear, the propshaft must be renewed. A worn joint causes the propshaft to vibrate. As wear increases, vibration worsens.
Another sign of wear is a clonk when you accelerate or decelerate, or a regular knock when the car is moving. A sure sign of something breaking up inside the bearings of a joint is rust-coloured dust around the spider. Fit a new joint or shaft immediately.
To check for wear when no dust is evident, grip one side of the joint firmly and try to turn the other side against holding pressure . There should be no play in the joint at all. Make another check by inserting a large screwdriver between the yoke and the spider and levering it to see if there is any play. If you feel any play, fit a new joint or propshaft.
The universal joints, or u-joint, is one of the critical components of a driveshaft that facilitates smooth and stable driving. Without that u-joint—or with a severely deteriorated one—you'll experience issues with your car's performance. Familiarize yourself with the common symptoms of a bad universal joints, and don't wait to have repair work done. The longer you go without a replacement or repair, the worse the symptoms will become.
• Squeaking noises when starting to move
Typically, this is the first sign of a failing u-joint on your driveshaft. The lubrication on the bearing component of the u-joint dries up over time as a result of constant use. The noise is a consequence of metal-to-metal contact within the driveshaft components.
• Listen for the noise
The squeaking noise is usually only heard when you're traveling at slower speeds, typically around five to ten miles an hour. Once you gain speed, the noise of the u-join will be drowned out by other sounds. Make sure you listen when beginning to drive so you can pick up the sound of a faulty u-joint.
• Vibrations while moving at high speeds
A later stage symptom of a failing u-joint is being able to feel vibrations in your car while driving at faster speeds. This results from the metal of the u-joint bearing being worn down due to a lack of lubrication, which then results in the driveshaft itself moving outside of its intended rotational path and causing the vibrations.
• Expanding damage
At this point, the faulty u-joint is now causing damage to the transmission of your vehicle. The problem will only get worse if it's left untreated. Further repairs may be necessary, but the sooner the problem is identified, then the more the damage will be mitigated.
• Your vehicle can no longer move
This is the final symptom of a bad u-joint. The u-joint will literally break apart, resulting in the driveshaft itself dislodging from the transmission and falling off the car. This where the cost of repair will skyrocket, requiring extensive repairs on parts other than just the u-joint. In the worst-case scenario, you may need to have a full driveshaft replacement.
Our Factory
Founded in 1995, Zhejiang Changheng Machinery Group Co., Ltd is now a modern enterprise specialized in development, design, manufacture, sale and service for agricultural machinery transmission systems, including agricultural pto shaft (driveline), gearbox, and other accessories in complete series.
● We've developed our own line of forging, machining, assembly, plastic injection, etc.
● We have our own CE testing facilities like Torque, Frozen and UV tester.
● We also designed our own Square testbay with monitered gearboxes and PTO shafts running over 1000 hours.
Our Certificate
Ultimate FAQ Guide to Universal Joints
Q: Where are universal joints located?
Q: What does universal joints do?
Q: What type of vehicles have universal joints?
Q: How many universal joints are on a vehicle?
Q: Do front-wheel drive vehicles have universal joints?
Q: Do universal joints need to be replaced?
Q: What materials are universal joints usually made of?
Q: What functions do universal joints have?
Q: What is the material of universal joints?
These materials exhibit exceptional physical characteristics, including wear resistance, high strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. They are cost-effective and readily accessible in the market. These materials can be machined easily and precisely, achieving the necessary close tolerances demanded by universal joints in diverse applications.
Q: What are the functions of universal joints?
It establishes a connection between two shafts that have intersecting axes.
It enables one shaft to rotate around its own axis while being driven by another shaft that rotates around its separate axis.
Universal joints facilitate the transmission of power at varying angles and during continuous changes in those angles.
Q: How does universal joints work?
Q: What are the different hub styles of universal joints?
Q: Should you use universal joints?
Some of the benefits of using universal joints are:
Flexible universal coupling
Facilitates toque transmission between shafts
Cost-effective
Simple to assemble and dismantle
Permits angular displacements
To ensure toque transmission efficiency is high, it's important to lubricate the joint properly. In addition, proper maintenance is essential to avoid wear and tear of the joints.
Q: What are the maintenance and troubleshooting tips for universal joints?
● Lubricate the joints regularly: Like every mechanical component, u-joints need to be properly lubricated. Check the level of lubricant in the joint and replenish it as needed.
● Inspect the joint regularly: Take a close look at your u-joints regularly and check for signs of wear or damage. Cracks, corrosion, or excessive play in the joint indicate that it needs to be replaced.
● Avoid overloading: U-joints are designed to accommodate a certain amount of torque. Exceeding this limit can damage the joint and lead to premature failure.
Q: Where would a universal joints be used in real life?
Q: What is the main purpose advantage of Universal Joints?
Q: What will happen if universal joints fails?
Q: Where would universal joints be used?
Q: Can a bad universal joints cause loss of power?
Q: What are two applications for Universal Joints?
We're well-known as one of the leading universal joints manufacturers and suppliers in China. If you're going to wholesale customized universal joints with competitive price, welcome to get quotation from our factory.
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