Preventive Maintenance Protects Your Driveline

The driveline components on your heavy-duty Volvo truck are built to deliver peak performance. Transmitting torque from your truck's transmission to its axles while adjusting to changes in driveshaft length is a delicate balance. Properly functioning u-joints give you a smooth ride by providing flexibility between your driveshaft and axles, no matter what conditions you're driving in.

Because your u-joints work non-stop while your truck is on the road, this constant movement and stress can cause wear and tear. U-joint problems can lead to driveline failure and thousands of dollars in repairs.

Good news. With proper preventive maintenance, most u-joint issues can be averted. Most of the time, u-joints fail due to inadequate lubrication. Following a multi-point lube check at your Volvo dealership, factory-trained technicians will use Volvo Genuine lubricants – designed to keep your u-joints and other critical components doing their job. If you want to install maintenance-free u-joints as an alternative to greasing, you'll need components that meet Volvo's high performance standards. For example, select genuine Spicer® heavy-duty u-joints are offered with service-free options, in addition to the standard relubable options. Both are engineered to closely control tolerances, creating a tighter fit, better balance capability and reduced driveline vibration.

Operating your heavy-duty Volvo truck with excessive driveshaft angles could also contribute to premature u-joint failure. It is recommended that u-joint angles should be no greater than 3 degrees, and the difference in angles between front and rear u-joints on the same driveshaft should not exceed 1 degree. The higher the u-joint angle, the shorter the life of the joint.

Here are four signs your u-joints may be damaged or going bad:

• Loud clunks in the driveshaft when shifting gears
• Vibrations/roughness/shudders during acceleration or deceleration
• Grease leaking out of end caps
• Play in the driveshaft

All driveline components should be closely examined at regular service intervals to ensure maximum longevity. For more information or to schedule a service appointment, call the driveline experts at your nearest Volvo Trucks dealership. You can also order driveline components online through SELECT Part Store™, where you'll find monthly specials on popular parts and supplies.