No retainer clips in the u joints?????

[JDerrick]

So while I was under the truck this evening attempting to find that pesky grease fitting on the front drive shaft of my 2006 CTD I noticed that all three of the rear shaft u-joint assemblies did not have needle bearing cup retaining clips. Also one of the front shaft joints was missing them. Perhaps I just never noticed this before on any of the several trips under the ol' dodge, likely because one normally wouldn't expect 1 much less ALL of these clips to be absent. Im going to contact the dealer tomorrow and inquire about this. Has anyone else noticed this issue with thier trucks ????

 

[Cattletrkr]

Factory joints have a plastic that's poured in somehow. I might just be too tired and not thinking straight, but I'm pretty sure that's what they are. Look for little plastic dots sticking out, that'll be a telltale sign. Do yourself a favor and look before calling the dealer.

 

[Jason Hughes]

They are "plastic glue" injected. Many newer vehicles are done this way. Most aftermarket u-joints will have the retainers you are thinking of. If you change the u-joints yourself it is a little more difficult getting them apart. It typically doesn't ruin the shaft or yokes. New ones will go right in.

 

[n7gxz]

GM has been doing this for years, like maybe 20 or so. Remember that the shafts are being supplied by AAM which used to be a division of GM.



Kevin

 

[bighammer]

If I remember right, it's just the front driveshaft joints that have the plastic. The others have the clips inside the yoke. (a "C" shaped clip at the base of the caps)

 

[n7gxz]

If I remember right, it's just the front driveshaft joints that have the plastic. The others have the clips inside the yoke. (a "C" shaped clip at the base of the caps)

On the 2006 trucks I believe that it is all of them both front and rear. On the 2003's it is just the front joint on the front shaft.



Kevin

 

[jltcasper3]

my 2005 ctd had c clip u joint clips from the fecatory on the rear drve shaft. But my ole 92 blazer had plastic injectic u joints.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Just meltem out with a torch when it's time to change them. I really like the epoxy injection setup... ... ... ... ... it's too bad you can't replace it with epoxy instead of the PITA snap rings that don't always fit.

 

[JDerrick]

hey thnx for the replys y'all I am not as worried now as I was. Wont be concerned about the clips untill i replace the u-joints with new units that have grease zirks in them.