Solid U-Joints
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I used Spicers on my 93 vette, and modified 80 vette, and NEVER had a problem. I'm sure there are a couple of other good makers of solid u joints, possibly including Brute Force, but I see no reason to change from a reliable product like Spicer.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Are "Brute Force" U-joints cast or forged? The name sounds like something applied to a Chinese metal product. That doesn't mean that it isn't good...just that it raises doubts [in the absence of real knowledge about them]. Thus, I would go the Spicer route...just for security's sake. Oh, I bet the "Brute Force" parts are cheaper, aren't they?
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
Thanks for the input guys. I think I will just order the Spicers from one of the supporting vendors. The prices are pretty close anyways. I think I'll just do all 6 and forget about them. I'm trying to get the rear suspension up to par for the dragstrip and would hate to break something as inexpensive as a u-joint.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
4 speeds are brutal on things! I've already twisted both of my axle shaft splines, so I replaced those. That was with my old motor and a 4000 stall auto. I am changing to a 420# compsite spring and the QA1 adjustable shocks. I am also added heavy duty rod end type rear camber rods. I need to go to a 3 series posi carrier so I guess I'm going to get an Eaton unit and 3.70 gears. I will be selling my 4 series Auburn posi and 4.56 gearset. We shall see what goes first and then upgrade it guess.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
4 speeds are brutal on things! I've already twisted both of my axle shaft splines, so I replaced those. That was with my old motor and a 4000 stall auto. I am changing to a 420# compsite spring and the QA1 adjustable shocks. I am also added heavy duty rod end type rear camber rods. I need to go to a 3 series posi carrier so I guess I'm going to get an Eaton unit and 3.70 gears. I will be selling my 4 series Auburn posi and 4.56 gearset. We shall see what goes first and then upgrade it guess.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
4 speeds are brutal on things! I've already twisted both of my axle shaft splines, so I replaced those. That was with my old motor and a 4000 stall auto. I am changing to a 420# compsite spring and the QA1 adjustable shocks. I am also added heavy duty rod end type rear camber rods. I need to go to a 3 series posi carrier so I guess I'm going to get an Eaton unit and 3.70 gears. I will be selling my 4 series Auburn posi and 4.56 gearset. We shall see what goes first and then upgrade it guess.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
Brute Force U-joints are the performance parts from Neapco which is a US company. They used to make them in Beatrice Nb and the company I work for used to do the heat treating. That was a few years ago and they were a high quality company. They could make them in Mexico or China by now, and Spicer could as well.
I'll see if I know any of the engineers and give them a call.
The UJ's I use are holow and have the zerts on the end, don't remember who made them. My car isn't too rough on driveline parts...knock on wood.
I'll see if I know any of the engineers and give them a call.
The UJ's I use are holow and have the zerts on the end, don't remember who made them. My car isn't too rough on driveline parts...knock on wood.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
GTR1999, I will look at your info. I'm surprised it held up too. I was going to the new Eaton posi, not the factory one. I thought the new stuff was stronger. Also, going to be using the Richmond gearset as well. Unfortunately, I did go back with regular stock axles. I'm going to keep on eye on them and go with better ones in the very near future. I just found this forum and have learned alot from the guys that actually drag race these things. I never knew anyone before, just me.
L79racer, I think I'll be running what you are basically. Thanks for the heads up on the reinforcing. Do you have any pics of the areas you're talking about? I'll have to look at that area and see what I can weld in there for reinforcement.
L79racer, I think I'll be running what you are basically. Thanks for the heads up on the reinforcing. Do you have any pics of the areas you're talking about? I'll have to look at that area and see what I can weld in there for reinforcement.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
GTR1999, I will look at your info. I'm surprised it held up too. I was going to the new Eaton posi, not the factory one. I thought the new stuff was stronger. Also, going to be using the Richmond gearset as well. Unfortunately, I did go back with regular stock axles. I'm going to keep on eye on them and go with better ones in the very near future. I just found this forum and have learned alot from the guys that actually drag race these things. I never knew anyone before, just me.
L79racer, I think I'll be running what you are basically. Thanks for the heads up on the reinforcing. Do you have any pics of the areas you're talking about? I'll have to look at that area and see what I can weld in there for reinforcement.
L79racer, I think I'll be running what you are basically. Thanks for the heads up on the reinforcing. Do you have any pics of the areas you're talking about? I'll have to look at that area and see what I can weld in there for reinforcement.
look at the top of the picture. Thats what you have to make stronger. I doubled the thickness of the bottom and sides of the bracket that the pinion snubber bolts too.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1123...52933816ypJOWu
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
here is another picture. See the circled locations. The one to the left is the chassis bracket and the right one is the rear end bracket. I also added metal to the rear end bracket where the two bolts go threw.
