2003 U-joint replacement experience

[JHMiller]

I ordered a set of front hubs and u-joints from Rock Auto. The hubs fit but the #235 u-joints were too small by a bunch. When talking with Jim at Rock Auto about returning them he call the supplier and couldn't get a real straight answer but came back and thought the 464 were the correct outside joint replacements. The difference in description was: 235 Position, front shaft @ front axle. 464 Position, front steering axle, double cardan joint. Now the definition for cardan joint is a fancy name for u-joint in the dictionary but steering may be the key word indicating outside joint. Had to purchase them locally for $60 each (non greaseable, darn it) so I suspect the 464 is the correct outside greaseable replacement joint, still not positive. Anyone with the straight skinny on this let everyone know what to order the first time.

Pay attention to the tie rod end, I noticed the left tie rod end was banged out due to the bad u-joint and ordered it also, what a difference in steering, nice and tight, no wondering again.

Just a heads up for those with an 03... John

 

[mwilson]

Yes, Precision 464 is the greasable axle u-joint. Just changed one yesterday and it fits perfectly.

The correct term is front axle u-joint, not driveline u-joint in the parts books. If they (parts people) would look down to the bottom of the page (printed or web) they would see the position diagram. Half the time it gets missed.

 

[RonD]

I did mine 2 months ago, the Precision #264 is the correct part, just remember to point the zerk fitting away from the hub.

 

[bighammer]

I did mine 2 months ago, the Precision #264 is the correct part, just remember to point the zerk fitting away from the hub.

You mean 464 right?

 

[RonD]

Yes, sorry about that, #464 is the correct number

 

[MRyan]

In the middle of doing hubs, ball joints, u-joints and stearing linkage on my 06 Mega. All gave up at 61K. Order Precision 464 u-joints for front axles(yes steering axles) and no fit... about . 100" to big. My yokes ar not bent and measure 2. 918+/-. PCN 464's are supposed to measure 2. 918" but mine measured 3. 020. Precesion has some issues in their assembly line I think. BEWARE.

 

[mwilson]

Are you measuring them with the caps on or are you measuring just the cross????

 

[MRyan]

Caps on, measuring outside of snap ring groove... like you would install them. Many people have had this problem with these Precision 464's... I just found out too late! I had my guy at Napa call Precesion and ask about the correct demensions and he (Precesion dude) even said something isn't right... .

 

[jelag]

JH would you email me and share with me what you paid for the hub's... . -- email address removed --

 

[MRyan]

SKF hubs from Napa 245. 00 each.

Moog ball joints from Carquest

new updated steering gear from Wermopar.com 365. 00

 

[mwilson]

We buy a lot of NAPA parts here and I have had three instances in the last two months where the parts were boxed wrong. I wonder if that is the case with your u-joint? Was it in a NAPA box or a Precision box?

 

[MRyan]

U-joints were in a Precision box. I had them check the rest of the 464's at the warehouse and all were the same (wrong). I think the bearing cups installed on the crosses are wrong.

 

[mwilson]

I know that things can and do go wrong but it seems lately that I have seen way more mis-packed and / or mis-manufactured parts then ever before. I am constantly returning parts here for various reasons. What most likely happened to you is someone at the plant pulled the wrong boxes for the skid of naked u-joints setting in front of them.

The Freightliner warehouses have "prints" hanging in every bin location showing what the parts in that bin look like. In spite of that you can have 4 aluminum truck rims ordered and you will get 4 toggle switches instead because that is what was placed in that bin location by mistake. It doesn't mean a thing to the guy pulling the part. It is a hard thing to explain to a customer with a broken truck that has to wait yet another day as a result. :{:{