Brute Force U Joints ???

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Nov 13, 2004 | 04:41 AM

OkeeGuy

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 4,411

Likes: 1

From: Okeechobee Florida

Brute Force U Joints ???

are they as strong as they claim?
who likes em...
and who dosnt???

Nov 13, 2004 | 05:06 AM

mrvette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 65,492

Likes: 230

From: Orange Park Florida

They been in my car from tranny back...6 of them, for about ten years now....275/17 rubber, but I don'lt drag race, only have maybe 6 passes with it, and that was years ago.....

GENE

Nov 13, 2004 | 05:29 AM

Larry B.

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 5,635

Likes: 4

From: Orlando Floriduh

A couple of posts by forum members have mentioned that even the non-greasable one are hollow casting. Being solid is the reason you buy non-greasable ones.

For the half shafts I would stay with spicer.

Nov 13, 2004 | 05:35 AM

Twin_Turbo

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 16,945

Likes: 9

I don't like them, the radii are much sharper than on the spicers so I would suspect they go out much easier, I'd stick to solid spicers.

Nov 13, 2004 | 11:14 AM

zwede

Race Director

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 11,360

Likes: 382

From: Plano TX

I used brute force U-joints on my half shaft. Here's what they looked like after 3 years:

I replaced them with spicer solids and here's a side-by-side:

Nov 13, 2004 | 11:22 AM

Twin_Turbo

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 16,945

Likes: 9

In that upper pic it's pretty apparent that it's the same forging as for one w/ a grease fitting...

Nov 13, 2004 | 12:02 PM

The Dude

Race Director

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 10,258

Likes: 1

From: Calif.

Spicer. Spicer. Spicer.

Nov 13, 2004 | 12:02 PM

ZD75blue

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 16,416

Likes: 1

From: NC,USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo

In that upper pic it's pretty apparent that it's the same forging as for one w/ a grease fitting...

looks like it!

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Nov 13, 2004 | 12:06 PM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,457

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From: Little Rock AR

If you do install one with a grease fitting, be sure to install it so the fitting is under compression, rather than the tension side. They are stronger that way.

-Mark.

Nov 13, 2004 | 11:33 PM

#10

dogboy

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 2,305

Likes: 5

From: Orlando,Fl,USA

I have had problems with them breaking. So big deal they replaced them for free but I still had t do the labor. Spicer next time around for sure.

Nov 14, 2004 | 05:41 AM

#11

nastee383

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 2,145

Likes: 1

From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIGNGUY

are they as strong as they claim?
who likes em...
and who dosnt???

I had Brute Force in the halfshafts for several years without incident. I made alot of dragstrip passes during that time, many spraying off the line, without incident. Then last year one snapped on the starting line and the halfshaft exited the car after mangling the battery box and the trailing arm. Now I have Spicers which doesn't necessarily mean the same thing won't happen. The halfshafts won't be going anywhere because I've got the loops now.

Nov 14, 2004 | 07:41 AM

#12

OkeeGuy

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 4,411

Likes: 1

From: Okeechobee Florida

hhhmmm...
ok...looks like Spicer wins out...
so if i get the greaseless...they will be solid?
how long will they last being greaseless...

(i DO understand that being greaseless dosnt mean that they have no grease...only that i cant add any)

Nov 14, 2004 | 12:44 PM

#13

LFZ

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 30,183

Likes: 313

From: Lake Norman NC

not trying to hijack the thread..but where do you get Spicer ujoints?

Nov 14, 2004 | 12:50 PM

#14

djcwardog

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 844

Likes: 0

From: Central KY

Now I wonder what the stock ones are on a big-block car...?

Nov 14, 2004 | 12:53 PM

#15

Larry B.

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 5,635

Likes: 4

From: Orlando Floriduh

I got mine at Driveline specialties here in Orlando. OEM is spicer non greasable and I have seel originals last close to 100K. Spicers ar far superior. The non greasable spicers are solid...

Nov 14, 2004 | 01:29 PM

#16

shoptek

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 3,123

Likes: 13

From: Hollywood, Florida

I know our friends at Van Steel uses Spicer in their shafts.

I believe they also sell the u joints seperately.

Give Art or Dan a call

Nov 14, 2004 | 02:49 PM

#17

zwede

Race Director

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 11,360

Likes: 382

From: Plano TX

I got my spicers from fastcorvette. No linky due to forum rules but you can figure out the URL...

Nov 14, 2004 | 04:04 PM

#18

Bryan8412_2

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 203

Likes: 0

I don't understand what spicer and all that means?

I recently ordered Solid-non greaseable U joints from Van Steel. Should I reconsider and get this "spicer" ones? Can someone explain them to me on a technical aspect, all this is kind of new to me..

Bry

Nov 14, 2004 | 06:17 PM

#19

Larry B.

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 5,635

Likes: 4

From: Orlando Floriduh

First off, the halfshafts on corvettes are very hard on U-joints, even to the point of breaking sometimes. When the U joint is cast with a hole for the grease to go to the caps it becomes weaker. Solid is much stronger. Now ... there is a difference in needle size and hardness from brand to brand and I am sure some of the castings are inferior when compared. The cheapies from discount stores are very short lived in the half shaft application. You DO NOT want to have a loose halfshaft spinning under the car whe you shift into 3rd gear at 80mph!!! It will ruin you day. You get what you pay for... Spicer is one of the Original equipment joints used in Corvettes.