2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Need U joint advise

[ESwartzer]

Hi guys, I think its time to change out U joints in the rear driveshaft. I've been getting a lot of vibration between 60 and 70 mph and it gets worse all the time which pretty well leads me to think its the joints. So my question is which manufacturer to go with, Torque king, Spicer, Neapco? I don't want Chinese crap and don't mind paying for the best parts but since every manufacturer says their parts are the best I need some help. Thanks! Earl

 

[Woodenhead]

Spicer. And when you install them make sure the web with grease zerk hole (if it has one) will be loaded in compression, not tension.

 

[BDaugherty]

Spicer all the way. Rockauto has started carrying spicer for some applications.

 

[ESwartzer]

Thanks guys I did go with the Spicers and was able to find the cold forged life ones for $26.89, I appreciate your help!

 

[ESwartzer]

Would you please explain the compression / tension issue, I've never heard of it?

 

[JMcCoy]

The joint should be installed so the hole is being compress while the driveshaft is turning in the forward direction. When you hold the joint up to the two drive shaft parts, it should be easier to tell. That is the best I could describe it. Maybe someone else can do better.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would check things out closely before changing. My 98 has 400K on the original Spicer no grease U joints.

 

[Woodenhead]

I would check things out closely before changing. My 98 has 400K on the original Spicer no grease U joints.

The OEM spicers on my '98 made it to 230kmiles. You are correct though, before going through the trouble he should crawl under the trucks and give things a yank to see if they're OK or indeed toast.

 

[fest3er]

The OEM spicers on my '98 made it to 230kmiles. You are correct though, before going through the trouble he should crawl under the trucks and give things a yank to see if they're OK or indeed toast.

285k on mine with no signs of trouble.

First look for rust around the seals; if found, replace the ujoints. Otherwise set the brake, chock the wheels, and shake; the driveshaft must be 'free' (unloaded).

If his truck has a center support bearing (CSB), ES should slide under his truck and give the driveshaft a rigorous shaking at the CSB. If it moves at all, the problem may be that bearing.

On mine, the rubber shakes and the bearing clunks; the truck bounces firmly around 40 MPH (with a harmonic around 80); towing is a lot worse. It's been like that for far longer than I care to admit. I have a new bearing, but I haven't gotten the requisite round tuit yet.

 

[ESwartzer]

I changed out the carrier bearing this last may and found that the rearmost U joint although not loose was almost dry. Since then I've put on more than 2800 miles of heavy towing and I'm sure that lack of fresh lube in the joint has caused serious wear on the bearings, hence the vibration. Besides it's a whole lot cheaper to change them "before" catastrophic failure!