1078 bearing caps loose.

[DCLund]

While greasing I noticed that the bearing caps on my rear output yoke are loose and can slide back and forth in the yoke.
Anyone able to explain how this can happen? The cap covers are, and always have been (during my ownership) tight.
I'm sure the original shaft has been replaced with the updated shaft. Can it be that the updated shaft needed different cap covers and they were not installed? Where did the play come from if not from a loose cap? Anyone here know if the updated shaft kits included new (different) covers?
Advice on repair will be appreciated.

 

[DiverDarrell]

The bearing caps should be spot welded to the retaining plates. Inside the caps in the end there is a plastic grease channel plate. Maybe you had seized them, spinning the cups free melting the plastic and in time the seize freed? I'd pop it out and inspect it.

 

[DCLund]

Thanks, sounds like a very plausible explanation. I decided to get two new joints and use the "opportunity" to have the shaft balance checked.

 

[DiverDarrell]

I just put 2 new joints in my truck today. Wasn't too difficult

 

[800summit]

the only expensive part is the U joint tool $278.00

 

[DiverDarrell]

Only need the tool for stuck joints. I've done some where I needed it, and some where a little kick popped them. All depends on if they are rusted in or not

 

[DCLund]

Anyone know the torque spec for the u joint cap bolts? My manual is updated to the "torque to yield" bolts and the joint I bought has the older standard bolts.

 

[DiverDarrell]

They have locktight on them, I torqued to tight? , keeping in mind that the yokes are not something you want to strip. Re check torque after a few miles of driving