03 needs U-Joints

[Darkbloodmon]

Horse is dead but I sourced my rear shaft U-joints from Torque King 4x4 genuine AAM, 1485s for my 03 6 speed. The product/fitment write ups are pretty comprehensive and take out alot of the guess work; I go cross eyed looking at the part application lists on rockauto. Getting ahold of them on the phone for questions can be a bear from my experience, but never the less all the parts I've sourced from them thus far have been correct for my application: front axle shaft U joints, transmission/ T case seals, rear shaft U-joints, Rear hub bearing-race-seal kit.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I ordered 2 of the Spicer 5-3207X from Drivetrain America. Should have them Monday.

This will be fun... haven't changed a u-joint in probably 30+ years.

 

[NIsaacs]

I ordered 2 of the Spicer 5-3207X from Drivetrain America. Should have them Monday.

This will be fun... haven't changed a u-joint in probably 30+ years.

Read tech note #1, it may or may not apply.

https://torqueking.com/product/5046...es-non-greaseable-driveshaft-universal-joint/

 

[mwilson]

If I remember correctly the original joint caps are held in by plastic that was injected. You either have to heat it to melt it OR do what I did..

I have a two piece so I had an extra floppy part plus the carrier bearing which made for a very heavy piece of spaghetti..
Took three sawhorses and some plywood to make a table. Much better..
Then used my OTC C Clamp press thingy to simply push the joints out without heat.
Clean the bores out with a tiny flap wheel or emery cloth, also dig the crap out of the snap ring grooves.
Liberal application of Never Seez and push it back together with the C clamp..

 

[mwilson]

I’m thinking that was addressed by Spicer.

On the road so I can’t research it until tonight..

 

[AH64ID]

Read tech note #1, it may or may not apply.

https://torqueking.com/product/5046...es-non-greaseable-driveshaft-universal-joint/

One of several reasons to stick with the AAM joints.

 

[NIsaacs]

Again, this may or may not apply, but Napa says it wont fit the single piece shaft but might fit the two piece?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/TWR53207X?impressionRank=1&keywordInput=53207x

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=53207X&isInterchange=true&referer=search_form-interchange

 

[mwilson]

Ok, had to stop at home base so I snuck in a little research..

NAPA U-Joint

 

[mwilson]

Spicer U-Joint

 

[mwilson]

AAM brand U-Joint

 

[mwilson]

So I’m seeing 4.178 for both the Napa and Spicer, and 4.181 for the AAM.

Did Spicer make the correction at some point in the past I wonder…??

 

[mwilson]

Back to work, will check more on the subject later.

 

[mwilson]

Drilled down on the NAPA joint using Mark's Truck for a vehicle....

The highlighted text would refer to a 1485 U-Joint as we have all just learned.....

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Stop the ride... I wanna get off!

Nothing I do is ever easy. At this point the Spicer's are on the way. If they don't work I'll order the AAM's.

 

[mwilson]

Don’t get overwhelmed…I’d really like to have a clear understanding of the Spicer / Aftermarket will work / won’t work back and forth.
Mine will take the same thing when it’s due again, it’s been about 10 years since I changed them.
The snap rings were a tight fit but I did not have to grind them.
I THINK the backyard mechanic crowd probably spring the yokes a little beating the joints out after a couple six packs and then the snap rings are going to be a bear to get in…

 

[GCroyle]

Mark,

Did you confirm it's an AAM? Not sure I saw that.

IIRC after I confirmed AAM I asked supplier to ID my parts, he pointed me to the size chart and said have at it (JK). Smart guy he knows his stuff. Seriously.

I set a caliper to width, held it up and just eyeballed, CHECK. Then measured CAP OD, CHECK. Compared to the chart, BINGO! And that's how I ordered my AAM joints.

Gary

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Did you confirm it's an AAM? Not sure I saw that.

I did not. I like to live dangerously!

 

[JR]

I THINK the backyard mechanic crowd probably spring the yokes a little beating the joints out after a couple six packs and then the snap rings are going to be a bear to get in…

I resemble that remark

 

[GCroyle]

Wait a minute, ya mean I wasted time marking, labeling, getting service tools, modifying a socket, making an assembly holder tool for NOTHING!!!!!!!!

My hammer collection is pretty ticked off at me missing a golden opportunity to draw blood.

 

[Ozymandias]

Fun Part is - take your brand new AAM joint into a vis, compress it a little and measure. You'll find out that they are just a tad bigger than they should be. And therefore useless. I solved that problem by using slightly thinner snap rings - that first had to source.