Parts for your 2005 Toyota Caldina-Universal joints

2005 Toyota Caldina universal-joints

Universal joints are relevant on 2005 Toyota Caldina 4WD/AWD variants only, they are not used on 2WD models. Technical sources that outline this include the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) for ST246W/AZT246W/ZZT245W models, which lists a propeller shaft assembly with universal joints for 4WD, the Caldina ST246 Repair Manual (Drivetrain/Propeller Shaft section), which details U‑joint inspection and shaft balance, and the New Car Features (NCF) documentation for the ST246 4WD system describing a propeller shaft between the transfer and rear differential. Front drive shafts on all Caldina variants use constant velocity (CV) joints, not universal joints, and 2WD models have no propeller shaft at all.

On 4WD Caldinas, the universal joints sit at each end of the propeller shaft and keep torque flowing smoothly from the transfer to the rear diff while the shaft changes angle over bumps and body movement. They’re a small part with a big job, and when they’re tired you’ll often cop vibrations at 60–90 km/h, a clunk moving from Drive to Reverse, or a light chirp at crawl speed.

As part of routine servicing, it pays to check the U‑joints for play and dryness. With the vehicle safely supported, handbrake off and in neutral, rotate the shaft and feel for notchiness. Look for rust bleed at the bearing cap seals, missing circlips, or flung grease. Most OE Toyota joints on the ST246W-era cars are sealed, non‑greasable and staked into the yokes, Toyota’s manual treats them as non‑serviceable, meaning the whole prop shaft is replaced if there’s wear. That said, driveline specialists across Australia and New Zealand can machine out the stakes, fit quality circlip‑style joints, and rebalance the shaft — often a far cheaper and perfectly reliable fix.

• Inspect every 20,000–30,000 kilometres or at major service intervals.
• Chase any clunk on take‑off, vibration on throttle, or humming under load straight away.
• If it’s seen beach work or water crossings, inspect sooner — water ruins needle bearings.
• Use reputable joints, bargain options can lack proper hardening and won’t last.
• Mark flanges before removal, keep the shaft in phase, torque bolts correctly, and always rebalance after joint replacement.

If the vehicle is 2WD, universal joints don’t come into play. Those cars run CV joints on the front drive shafts instead, which require different parts and procedures.

Does every 2005 Caldina have universal joints?

No. Only the 4WD/AWD variants (chassis codes ending in “W”, such as ST246W) have U‑joints on the propeller shaft. If there’s a prop shaft running to a rear differential, it’ll have U‑joints. 2WD models don’t have a prop shaft and therefore don’t use U‑joints.

Can the factory U‑joints be greased?

Typically, the original Toyota joints are sealed and non‑greasable. Aftermarket replacements may be available in greasable designs. If a joint is dry or noisy, replacement or a driveline specialist rebuild is the go, followed by shaft balancing.

Do the U‑joints mean replacing the whole prop shaft?

Toyota’s repair literature treats the staked joints as non‑serviceable, so a complete prop shaft is the official route. However, many AU/NZ driveline shops can rebuild with circlip‑type joints and rebalance the assembly, which is often more cost‑effective and works a treat.