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I need to replace the u-joints on my '64 F250, 2WD, originally had a 292. Any one brand better than the others? What's the feeling on the non-greaseable type?
Thanks. John
Yes on question 1, depending on the mileage you intend to put on it its generally you get what you pay for. While almost any one will last 10K + without much worry a good name brand Timkin, Moog etc can be counted on to last a long time and the cost is not considerably more.
I would only use a sealed u-joint in an application where you cannot access it like inside the hubs of the front ends of 4x4s. If you can get at it you should be able to grease it just in case and as part of a periodic lubrication program (instead of waiting until you hear it squeak) it can generally be counted on to last vastly longer.
Sealed bearings have a determined life. However, they do provide reduced maint. as well as suitability for hard to access locations. Personally, I prefer the zerk type. I like being able to refresh the grease but you really need to be intentional about it.
Probably wouldn't hurt using non-greasable for specialty motorsports.. where strength is preferred over longevity. I never got into those activities, but I do reasonable amount of highway so I use greasable. FWIW, I used greasable 1310 series for 5 years pulling a 5 ton camper roughly 10,000 miles of interstate. At the time I had a stock 390. That 390 croaked but the u joints were still good.
I think more strength is important if spending a lot of time in lower gears, lugging, etc especially if using 4wd low where extra torque is applied to driveshaft.
Just looked in the parts manual and every truck Ford made from 64 - 72 anyway, came with greaseable u-joints in the driveshafts, 750s are the last ones that have standard looking joints and the 850/950+ had hollow centered big, but greaseable joints so if I were Don Garlits I might run solid for strength but for pretty much any other application I'd go with greaseable if you can get to it.