U-Joint replacement

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 19, 2009 | 12:09 PM

hilgerbeast

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 102

Likes: 0

From: Bozeman, Montana

U-Joint replacement

Just wondering what u-joints are best for my truck. Are there certain brands to stay away from? I'm fixing my truck up bit by bit and I am doing it on a low budget-but, should I buy the good ones? Which ones are good? Can I just run down to napa and get some universal heavy duty ones? help is appreciated.
___________________________________
1986 F250 XLT Lariat 4X4, 6.9L IDI, C6, ext-cab, longbox, 33" Coopers

Jul 19, 2009 | 12:35 PM

86bigred

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,429

Likes: 4

From: patricia ab canada

I'have bought lots of parts from Napa. Never had a complaint,they have better quality stuff than the discount auto parts stores.

Jul 19, 2009 | 12:41 PM

Diesel_Brad

Fleet Owner

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21,437

Likes: 76

From: Gilbert, PA

napa is quality. the other chains(advanced,auto zone) have some quality but you have to do your research to find out what is good.

Jul 19, 2009 | 01:02 PM

Greyf100

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 725

Likes: 2

spicer brand ujoints are the best for the money...i have been told Napa super strengths are made in the USA, and are fairly decent

Jul 19, 2009 | 01:38 PM

hilgerbeast

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 102

Likes: 0

From: Bozeman, Montana

I tried to look up cost of the dana/spicer u-joints- couldn't find. Does anybody know? I think I'll just run down to Napa, but just want to know for reference. The spicers are probably better, but they probably don't fit into my budget.

Jul 19, 2009 | 06:36 PM

ctubutis

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 22,415

Likes: 92

From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyf100

...i have been told Napa super strengths are made in the USA, and are fairly decent

Bingo! Well, I bought some at NAPA a year or two ago that were made in USA,
don't remember the marketing or branding names. (As an aside, Car Quest also
had USA-made variants.) First went to Pep Boys (part of the Californication of
Colorado) but all they had were these Chinese-made variants that were almost
soft enough that you could scratch a groove into 'em with your thumbnail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgerbeast

I don't remember, exactly, but I think it was around $15/each. You might call
around any local 4x4 shops, too, I'd bet there'd be a better chance they have
Spicers in stock; you could compare costs.

Jul 19, 2009 | 06:51 PM

ArdWrknTrk

pedant

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 23,576

Likes: 38

From: EXTREME southwest CT

I just replaced my rear driveshaft U-joints today.
Was glad to be able to purchase -Made in USA- Precision brand universal joints from my local independent auto parts store.

$30 out the door for the pair...

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Joe Kucinski

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

Brett Foote

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Michael S. Palmer

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Verdad Gallardo

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Joe Kucinski

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Brett Foote

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Brett Foote

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Joe Kucinski

Jul 19, 2009 | 08:00 PM

Greyf100

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 725

Likes: 2

i dont like precisions, i put a set in the front axle shafts of my Jeep in jan, in march i was backing into my garage in 2wd and snapped one...

Jul 19, 2009 | 08:32 PM

#10

ArdWrknTrk

pedant

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 23,576

Likes: 38

From: EXTREME southwest CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyf100

..... i was backing into my garage in 2wd and snapped one...

How the hell do you do that?
.......With no torque passing through the joint.

Never used this brand.
Hope my experience is better than yours.
The quality seemed good from a casual inspection.

Here in Connecticut we used to be the epicenter of bearing manufacture.
Torrington, Timken, New Departure, *** and others.
Plants are shuttered, people are out of work, and most of the damn things are being made overseas now...

Jul 19, 2009 | 09:06 PM

#11

Greyf100

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 725

Likes: 2

the ujoints spit all that grease out and over heated on the highway, which resulted in the ear splitting and spitting the cap off the joint...

Jul 20, 2009 | 05:40 AM

#12

ArdWrknTrk

pedant

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 23,576

Likes: 38

From: EXTREME southwest CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyf100

the ujoints spit all that grease out and over heated on the highway, which resulted in the ear splitting and spitting the cap off the joint...

I don't think the yolk failing is the fault of the bearing.
The failed bearing I just replaced had all the needles smeared into the cup and the cross worn to perhaps 2/3's it's original diameter, and it was still pushing a 6500lb truck.

Did you try and use Moly grease in your U-joints?
That stuff is fine for extreme pressure, low speed and sliding surfaces (think ball joint) but will pack up into flakes in a heartbeat in something like a needle or ball bearing.

I've been using a Chevron lithum base NLGI #2 red grease for this sort of thing, and do the driveline at every oil change (3.5k).

Jul 20, 2009 | 08:24 AM

#13

Greyf100

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 725

Likes: 2

the joint spit out all the grease, which caused the thing ti heat up and expand, which over stressed the ear on my shaft, causing it to split....bottom line, the single seal on the PG u joints wouldnt hold grease. The spicer joints have a triple seal holding grease in, they are also stronger. I also dont buy joints with grease fittings as they are drilled through the middle of them, removing metal from the body.