Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Not sure what to make of this one - everything was good yesterday, today I head to squamish and notice more road noise, vibrations, etc., than usual. I got a few things tightened up front yesterday at CVI, frame bolts, etc., and got the front grease points done. I was there to check my ball joints as they weren't accepting grease but Edwin got grease in and they seem fine. He found the driver's side outer tie rod end is loose and I'll be replacing that soon. I'm pretty sure that work is not related to this new problem. Anyways as I'm driving few minutes later today this develops into quite a bit of steering wheel shake on acceleration only, as well of lots of vibrating and noise at certain speeds. Definitely wasn't the case yesterday (aside from a small squeak/rattle on accel. that's been bothering me) and is very noticeable by everyone in the van.

I stopped and checked u-joints, driveshafts, and wheels for any play or looseness with anything. Everything seems fine, maybe a tiny bit of play in the rear driveshaft/rear diff. Like I can turn it by hand 1cm before there is any resistance. I think this is normal?

I jacked up each corner, all the wheels turn easily and don't have play. I greased the u-joints and front parts again, obviously no help. Engaged 4wd and dis-engaged to ensure it wasn't partially engaged or something.

Problem remains.. on takeoff or any accelerating at low speeds even in a straight line there is a lot of body/steering wheel shake. If I let of the gas pedal a bit it stops but still loud humming noises from what seems to be the rear drivetrain area. That shaking goes away around 20km/h, still humming and such, and then very loud vibrating around 70km/h, which oddly persists whether I'm accelerating or even if I coast in neutral, clutch in, etc. After determining the above I came home and parked it.

My suspicions are driveshaft u-joint although they seem fine? or rear diff? mostly I am stumped.

I'll talk to the guys down at CVI tomorrow and I'm sure they will sort it out (I hope it it safe to drive to richmond) but in the meantime anyone on here have any ideas?

I'd ask if any of you north van members could take a look or help but it's suddenly snowing here so I doubt anyone feels like crawling around under a van right now.

Thanks in advance for any advice or ideas :)

rear diff fluid
remove the rear driveshaft and check the diff pinion for play
loose tie rods can shake the deli like crazy

Ah, it turns out my rear u-joint is extremely dead

I forgot to grab both sides to check it when I was crawled underneath on the side of the sea2sky.

I carefully drove over to R J D services in north van and Nathan popped her up on the hoist, found the wrecked ujoint right away. Changed the diff fluid, it was a bit on the sparkly side for being only a year old, but nothing too scary. He is currently swapping out both rear joints.

So far two thumbs up for both CVI and RJD services, I should be in tip top shape soon and ready for camping season

if you can get koyo's or spicer's for an 88 montero, then you'll be laughing. they are beefy !

if you get the inexpensive napa/one's from japan, then you remove the cups and clean out the holes in the cross shafts. The grease will usually come out of all four cups a lot easier.

The grease that comes in cheap U joints tends to turn into more of a wax when it sits for a long time on the shelf. Ask me how I found out

I've noticed the factory ones seem kind of tough. Mine are probably original and have 170,000km on them so it makes sense they are going. I got the rear joint on the front shaft changed last year at crown tech auto, is a smaller non-serviceable one, not really a fan of that. RJD assured me they use a "better" serviceable type, didn't specify the make.

Jfarsang, I should hire you as my personal mechanic! you seem to have the most extensive parts/service knowledge on the forum

Anyone know a part number (or year of montero to match) for the outer tie rod ends? Parts shops around here don't like the mitsu part# MB527650

And do we have a verdict on a good inexpensive shop for a quick alignment? I've read numerous threads on the subject here and there is a lot of conflicting info.

Thanks again
Josh

coaxial wrote:
And do we have a verdict on a good inexpensive shop for a quick alignment? I've read numerous threads on the subject here and there is a lot of conflicting info.

Thanks again
Josh

I've just discovered a shop down Pemberton Avenue in North Van. I showed them the Miss Lil' Bitchi and they have been scouring the internet for specs, including this site. I believe they charge something like $79.00 or there abouts for front end alignment. They are called Chen Auto Clinic and their phone number is (604)-987 1525. Go check them out and tell us what you think.

Falco.

Josh. $80 cash.

Dale's Alignment near the langley bypass.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/need-an-alig ... -4169.html

They have the auto-leveling machine and sharks with lazer beams on their foreheads to do the alignment.

When I took the first Delica in there, there were no raised eyebrows.

No conflicting info, no searching, no guess work.

He just punched up 1992 Delica and it came up with the factory alignment specs. Drove Delica onto the alignment machine (looks like a huge scissor jack) and they work their magic.

Awesome thanks guys!

Fresh u-joints and diff oil and I'm rolling smoother than when I bought it
Highly recommend RJD for the north-van folks (CVI still best bet for really delica-specific stuff), great service and pricing, and I don't think they even billed me for the large amount of time we spent chatting about motorbikes