U Joint temporary fix

I suspect my center UJoint is going. Today while doing my mail route it started the chirping sound during acceleration and vibration became worse. I switched to my car to finish my route today, but I will need to get my truck way across town for repairs. That would be a 30 minute trip.
I know there are no guarantees, but I really don’t want to tow it & upon close inspection I think it could make the trip if I take it easy. I would just feel better about it if I could get some other input. The center UJoint is the only one that looks compromised at the boot. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

 

You can drive it that distance, just keep your speeds under 50. Most likely they have been bad for a while.

 

My rear most (the one on the diff) was bad for months before the squeaking bothered me enough to figure out what it was. The needles were powder. I think you should be fine, no guarantees though.

 

(I don’t know why it posted my pictures twice in this, sorry)
Thank you, I have had the chirping sound a little but the roads around here are so rough that I didn’t notice a vibration until the chirping became non stop on acceleration.
But then again it stopped when I decided to change vehicles. The story of my life.
This truck has been the best vehicle I have ever had in the past 40 years. Only 2 major repairs , and this will be the 2nd, and both are replacing U joints.

 

Just drive easy on it go slow and you should make it OK

 

Bit of advice here.
Don’t drive it.
Unless less you have seen what can happen you would agree.
If that comes apart it can do a lot of damage.
My advice.
tow It
Then no worries..

 

Mine is 2wd

 

Yes. Know.
Sorry
First cup of coffee still kickin in.
We very rarely see a pre up here..
Still.
You have a fuel tank right here..
It only takes once.
Could you do it?
Yea...
I just couldn’t read it and not say something..
Good luck..

 

If you have AAA have them flatbed it to the shop. I have posted before about my old F250 Hi-boy.... driving home from work, I noticed a sudden vibration you could feel and see in the shaking rear view mirror. At the next traffic light ,about 1/2 mile from start of vibration, a u-joint let loose.I took out the drive shaft right there and drove it home on the front axel. IF you attempt to drive, drive it like there is a raw egg under the gas pedal, very gentle starts and stops and low speed. Good Luck.

 

Don't just replace the bad one. Replace all of them. Years ago I only had the bad one replaced, and within a month another one went bad. Put in u-joints that have grease fittings. Also, check you center bearing holding up the driveshaft. You may want to replace it too.

 

Have them replace ALL of the joints while in the shop.

 

Looks like a lack of greasing.
Like Mike had said, be safe, have it towed if you can.
If that one looks that bad, I bet the others are not far behind. Get them all replaced.
Happy St. Paddy's Day. <--- TW shamrock.

 

Yes, I thought towing it could damage it as well unless they used a flatbed.
I appreciate the opinions & experience.
It’s not worth the damage , and I have already driven it longer this way than I should have, so I will be towing it. I am not afraid of tackling a lot of repairs, but it takes me all day to just get most parts off. And I need it back to work Tuesday!
Thanks again!

 

Keep us updated.
Best of luck.

 

Up here they are notorious PITA.
some housings have cracked trying to disassemble.
Your doing the right thing..
Be safe