blew my u-joint out

I hope i don't sound like a jerk here but, if you could not get a u joint out did you get the pinion flange back in the ballpark of the correct inch pound preload? a lot of guys mark them and count the turns to do a quickie fix. I just think changing a U joint is easier than replacing that pinion flange. If you hear any odd noise stop driving it. I don't mean to be an asshole. maybe you put the pinon flange in perfectly but the u joint was super rusted in there or something?

Other than that the U joint may have been okay since the straps broke. if it was me i would have went with a completely new one though. Its cheap insurance.