Universal Joint Recommendations
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 54
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From: Surf City NJ
Universal Joint Recommendations
I am in the middle of replacing my U-joints in the rear halfshafts on my 73 and I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations for a good set, preferably U.S.A made.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
A friend who owns a chain of auto parts stores turned me on to the U-joints that I'm using. I believe they are Spicer brand if memory serves (owned by Dana). What's special about these is that the X shaped center piece is drilled down the center of each leg so you grease the bearings from the ends. This is unlike many of the replacement U-joints that have a fitting threaded in between the legs of the X, which is a high stress concentration point. The Spicers were more expensive, but US made. The originals didn't have any provisions for adding grease at all, probably because the GM engineers were concerned about the stress concentration that would result by providing a fitting. Of course, the U-joints only had to make it past the warranty period and the engineers were happy!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I just did mine using Precision 231 from O'Rielly. They are non-zerk units and about $20 each. The grease fitting causes a weak point in the joint in my experience. For normal, realtively sane driving the greasable units are ok.
I did get one from NAPA that is simialar to the one described by Lemans Blue. I do like that method of greasing the joint.
I did get one from NAPA that is simialar to the one described by Lemans Blue. I do like that method of greasing the joint.
Last edited by flyeri; Mar 9, 2012 at 09:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Surf City NJ
A friend who owns a chain of auto parts stores turned me on to the U-joints that I'm using. I believe they are Spicer brand if memory serves (owned by Dana). What's special about these is that the X shaped center piece is drilled down the center of each leg so you grease the bearings from the ends. This is unlike many of the replacement U-joints that have a fitting threaded in between the legs of the X, which is a high stress concentration point. The Spicers were more expensive, but US made. The originals didn't have any provisions for adding grease at all, probably because the GM engineers were concerned about the stress concentration that would result by providing a fitting. Of course, the U-joints only had to make it past the warranty period and the engineers were happy!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
My friends stores were just local in SE Michigan. Unfortunately, his stores became a victim of the bad economy here and he ended up closing all but one to try to get things profitable again. When that didn't pan out, he sold out his remaining store and stock to another local chain here by the name of Glenwood Auto parts.
I guess selling less cheap replacement parts and marketing, like the BIG chains do, wins out over selling quality stuff and having a knowledgeable staff.
I guess selling less cheap replacement parts and marketing, like the BIG chains do, wins out over selling quality stuff and having a knowledgeable staff.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Joints with Zerk fittings are fine for most folks. If your engine makes over 400hp and/or you get a lot of "wheel hop" at WOT from a dead-stop, you probably want to maximize U-joint strength and use the one's made without fittings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
Slicer makes an incredible u joint for all applications. They were the only joint I would install with any kind of warranty when I was working on semi trucks. They hold up to a really tough beating and are smooth rolling and outlast any of the other manufacturers in my expierence. Some truckers wouldn't get their trucks greased for weeks driving up 6k miles a week or more if in teams an these spicers were they only ones that would put up with that kind of abuse under such heavy loads as 80,000lbs for more than say a month. Every other brand, I would put in an in two months get a bogus warranty claim that the joints failed an I owe some *** hole a new shaft an rear diff. No I don't owe you **** you need to maintain your own equipment. The fight would start always the same
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
"Super Strength" and made in 
the good ol' USA
. And the mfg. was Precision.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
The down side to "zerks" vs "sealed" bearings is a lot of times the greezer
bust the seals by over greasing.. dirt gets in BAM bearing gone...
Sealed bearings....no dirt....but, age and temps eventually get to them also...I think it is about preference and purpose..
I'm certainly not saying that some are not better quality than others, because they are....good question, sounds like the spicer is a fine choice.
bust the seals by over greasing.. dirt gets in BAM bearing gone...
Sealed bearings....no dirt....but, age and temps eventually get to them also...I think it is about preference and purpose..
I'm certainly not saying that some are not better quality than others, because they are....good question, sounds like the spicer is a fine choice.
Last edited by 73Corvette; Mar 12, 2012 at 12:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
The down side to "zerks" vs "sealed" bearings is a lot of times the greezer
bust the seals by over greasing.. dirt gets in BAM bearing gone...
Sealed bearings....no dirt....but, age and temps eventually get to them also...I think it is about preference and purpose..
I'm certainly not saying that some are not better quality than others, because they are....good question, sounds like the spicer is a fine choice.
bust the seals by over greasing.. dirt gets in BAM bearing gone...
Sealed bearings....no dirt....but, age and temps eventually get to them also...I think it is about preference and purpose..
I'm certainly not saying that some are not better quality than others, because they are....good question, sounds like the spicer is a fine choice.
