Front axle u-joint

[Smoke Eater]

I've got to replace the left axle u-joint, truck is an 04 3500 SRW 4X4 QCLB.
I recall the last time I had to do this, the SKF UJ464 u-joint was nearly 1/4 too long in the cross section. I had made notes on this, but I'm not at home and can't recall where it is I put them. (Getting old sucks!) Has anyone else run into this? I've tried the search and Spicer 5006813 comes up as a possible replacement, but I'm still looking up measurements. I'm going to give Denny's Driveshaft a call shortly, I've seen their name pop up a bit. I'll share what I find.

 

[Smoke Eater]

Just for reference, the cap to cap outside measurement of the UJ464 is 4.172.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

When I put locking hubs on my 03 I replaced both axle u-joints with Spicer DANA 5006813s, no fitment issues, the link has product specs/measurements. 1485WJ series

Call torque king 4x4 as well, they've really good write ups and informational bulletins to help figure things out, here is a link to one of their joints for the same application

 

[Smoke Eater]

Looking into the Spicer, their website shows the same dimensions as Precision. My Napa guy has seen this once before, he said the owner had to go with oem. I found an oem, just waiting for their guy to get back to me with measurements.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

My Napa guy has seen this once before, he said the owner had to go with oem.

Aye, I know the issues you're referring too. There are a lot of threads talking about old Spicer p/n issues for U-joints in AAM axles. Do your own measurements and verify to be 100%.

 

[Smoke Eater]

Yep, going to pull the axle out in a few and see what it measures. I've never found anyone post what part number works.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

FWIW mine worked.

 

[Ozymandias]

1485 on mine.

 

[Smoke Eater]

A little correction, I'm replacing the right front. The left was the one I had issues with the last time. I pulled the axle out tonight and took measurements, the 464 or 6813 will work just fine. I'll get the new one installed in the morning. Once I get home I'm going to have to pull the left axle and take measurements on it. I'm at my in- laws right now. I'm wondering if someone replaced the left axle at some point. I'll follow up once I get it out.
What manufacture is that 1485 u-joint? I'd like to look up the dimensions on it.

 

[Ozymandias]

AAM, it has slightly different measure then a standard 1480 from any other manufacturer.
They made it a (for the first couple years) proprietary measure that only AAM sold.

It is possible to press in a 1480 u-joint but it will fail in short time.

Edit: Left and right are identical

 

[Smoke Eater]

Gotcha, odd that I didn't find that one. I'm really confused as to what's going on with the left side, I wish I had a little more time tomorrow to pull that axle out and measure it as well. I can't imagine the ears on the yokes being bent that much, the holes for the caps would no longer be parallel.

 

[AH64ID]

Why not use OE AAM joints?

I’ve see far fewer issues with them on the interwebs.

 

[Smoke Eater]

Honestly, I'd never seen the AAM joints. I've had good luck with the Precisions in the past, although Napa now stocks Chinese SKF brands. In the future I'll likely go with the Spicer sealed u-joints. OEM u-joint from the dealer was $108

 

[AH64ID]

AAM1485 is what you want. Don't buy it from the dealer thou, as you noticed there is a large markup.

 

[GCroyle]

AAM1485 is what you want. Don't buy it from the dealer thou, as you noticed there is a large markup.

https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/p3...al_joint_1485_series_fits_dodge_aam_rear.html

$39 check dimensions and app notes first.

 

[Smoke Eater]

Thanks, I found his site but hadn't gotten that far. I'll go through it once I get this u-joint replaced. I've got to replace the feed tube o-rings today too. Seems the only time I get to work on my own truck is when I'm not home.

 

[Ozymandias]

https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/p3...al_joint_1485_series_fits_dodge_aam_rear.html

$39 check dimensions and app notes first.

Mostly good information here but not all, 1485 REAR shaft was only on manual trucks, automatic had 1415 u-joints in the rear.

Just for information.

 

[Smoke Eater]

Good to know. I used to store all of the special info on parts I had learned through the years in my phone. Worked great until I broke the phone and couldn't retrieve all of my info. I'm going back to a notebook, the type with paper.