2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear U-joint Spicer Numbers??

[Texis]

I have been running through the search mode on the site. Came up with "Spicer 5-160x" for a PN on the (3) rear drive shaft U-joints, can anyone validate that this is the correct Spicer number before I order 3 of them?

I can't bring myself to put in the auto parts house joints at $8 each! I have recently had my fill of pot metal Chinese garbage on other projects. Who decided nobody would pay extra for decent parts, even if they had to be ordered? Why don't these parts houses at lease offer the good stuff as an option?

My rant for the day

Thanks

 

[JLandry]

Correct.



The Spicer part numbers are:



Regular (greaseable): U-160, 5-160X



Long-life (non-greaseable): U-801, 5-801X

 

[Texis]

Thanks.

I did find a carrier bearing made by Timken at Auto Zone, for $18 bucks. Which seems extremely cheap for an entire carrier bearing assembly, and one made by Timken?? I bought it.

I'm going to change it out, as the one in truck is the original OEM piece with 400,000 miles on it and I just think it's time! BTW how long can those things last?

 

[JLandry]

I'm going to change it out, as the one in truck is the original OEM piece with 400,000 miles on it and I just think it's time!

I believe you'll need to use a somewhat "roomy" hydraulic press to get the old carrier bearing off and the new one onto the driveshaft. You don't want to try and pound it off and risk damaging the driveshaft.

BTW how long can those things last?

Until they fail.



Seriously, they can last up to the life of the truck depending on the operation conditions.



John L.

 

[NIsaacs]

Make sure you have the right center bearing. Most parts stores will sell you the wrong one, usually too small.



Nick

 

[Killgore]

From one of my previous posts:



"The other day the rolling click in my drive-train forced me to admit that I better get some u-joints on the way. The factory sets are finally playing out at 199,968. As I searched the web, rolled around on the ground under my truck measuring and identifying components, and of course looking at the various posts on TDR, I became aware that our much beloved trucks can have either a Spicer or AAM drive-shaft. The universals are not interchangeable according to several suppliers. Spicer manufactures a Series 1485 (part #5-3206X) that fits the narrower AAM driveshaft yoke. It is only . 010" different in width from the Spicer driveshaft yoke. Is this tight fit enough to cause premature failure? At least two suppliers think so (Denny's Driveshaft and Northern Drivetrain), and evidently Spicer thinks so for them to manufacture this particular universal to fit the AAM driveshaft".



I hope this is helpful. Ed

 

[Texis]

Thanks Killgore. . but in the "oldies" as in my 97, I'm fairly certain are head-to-toe Dana. I don't think AAM came on the scene in Dodge trucks until GEN 3. BUT if the 5-160X Spicer joints I just ordered don't fit just right!! I'll look into the mix match scenario you are describing.