Solid U-joints or greasible the best?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Bay City MI.
Solid U-joints or greasible the best?
I am in the process of changing my stub axles to the heavy duty style for my big block, and also want to change the U-joints. Should I go with the solid type or the greasable ones? Is one stronger than the other, seems like the solid ones would be but if true, why would you go with the others?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Solid U-joints or greasible the best? (Gordonm)
:iagree: Definately go with the solid ones! I had a greasable one break during a little burnout. Broke my differential :cry dinged my fiberglass spring :cry and knocked a hole in my battery box :cry . When I fixed it I put in the ones (Brute Force?) without fittings from Autozone.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Solid U-joints or greasible the best? (Gordonm)
I have the solid ones. They are supposed to be stronger. Furthermore, for those who do gave the greasable ones, do they actually take the time to grease them? Its a PITA and many times you have to unbolt the shaft to get to the fittings anyway. Before you install any ujoint make sure that all the needle bearings are there. Ive had to return brand new joints before because of missing bearings. I packed my new solid joints with Mobil1 synth grease. They are Brute Force solid joints from Autozone for about $12 each.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Bay City MI.
Re: Solid U-joints or greasible the best? (Jvette73)
Dumb question but are the sizes the same on the u-joints and do I measure one of the old u-joints to tell them the size?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 3
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Solid U-joints or greasible the best? (467-Ratman)
Go with Spicers solid.....Do not remove the caps.....they are pre-greased with a special type of grease and removing may contaminate or drop a needle bearing......
I tried the Brute Force zerkless.....Immediately crunched the bearings into powder. Brute Force have the same body as the ones with zerks.....however the zerkless is not tapped where the grease fitting goes....they are still hollow.....The Spicer is solid body....they look forged.....Get one of each, Brute Force and Spicer, and look at the quality between the two.....You'll find the Spicer is far superior. Also make sure your strut rods line up evenly with the half shafts....or bad things start to happen quickly when power is instantly applied. Tires should have a one degree positive (+1) camber during drag racing....so a slight tip out at the top.....When the loud pedal is slammed, car squats, and tires come flat to the ground.....If you cruise around with tires +1 you will find outer edges wearing off.....so don't forget to bring them back to zero or -1 when you're finish.... :seeya Cappy
I tried the Brute Force zerkless.....Immediately crunched the bearings into powder. Brute Force have the same body as the ones with zerks.....however the zerkless is not tapped where the grease fitting goes....they are still hollow.....The Spicer is solid body....they look forged.....Get one of each, Brute Force and Spicer, and look at the quality between the two.....You'll find the Spicer is far superior. Also make sure your strut rods line up evenly with the half shafts....or bad things start to happen quickly when power is instantly applied. Tires should have a one degree positive (+1) camber during drag racing....so a slight tip out at the top.....When the loud pedal is slammed, car squats, and tires come flat to the ground.....If you cruise around with tires +1 you will find outer edges wearing off.....so don't forget to bring them back to zero or -1 when you're finish.... :seeya Cappy
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Solid U-joints or greasible the best? (Gordonm)
Go with the solid ones. They are stronger. I have the Spicer ones in mine
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 3
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Solid U-joints or greasible the best? (shoptek)
Go to local driveline shop.....or 4X4 offroad truck performance shops usually have them.....Local auto shops usually sell the zerk or zerkless, however not the Spicers.....there's a difference.....if you're transferring big HP and TQ. :seeya Cappy
