universal joints

[ETurner]

I have a 2003 3500 srw,at 49000 miles I had the universal joints changed with greaseable ones. The factory ones were ungreaseable and they were dry as a bone. I have 65000 miles on the clock now. I think the joints are bad again. I don't know the brand that my tech installed. Can someone tell me the best brand to have installed this time. I'm also going to have the driveshaft balanced.

 

[nickleinonen]

i can't say what brand would be best [i am on my second set of mopar ones] but if you go greaseable, i personally like the ones with a grease fitting in the cap, not in the cross [personal preference & easier access]

 

[ETurner]

nickeinonen, I have the ones with the fittings on the cross. I didn't know there was any other kind. Thanks for the reply.

 

[dezeldog]

precision #295 has the zerk in the cap. I just installed mine today the stockers had 115k on them and still were in pretty good shape.



Jim

 

[jwilliams3]

For your guys info I finally broke a Precision brand greasable.

It took 1. 5 years of daily driving and 2 seasons of Sledpulling to break one.

When the one at the transfer case finally did break it was because of bounce and something had to go. Not from being weak.



Precisions greasable line is a great upgrade for any truck.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The original non-greasables just got changed in my 01 this summer at about 145,000 miles, that is pretty good I figure.



Now if you are telling me the new u-joints have 16,000 on them and they are shot, I'll tell you they got installed wrong! I have been guilty of it myself, I got in a hurry one time and pushed the cap on too far on my 93, I had to change that one out in about 10,000 miles.

 

[ETurner]

I just found out today its not the universal joints,its the front wheel bearing. I can't get it fixed till next wednesday. Thanks to everyone who responed.

 

[rbattelle]

FYI, Preecision 295 is for the front driveshaft, NOT THE FRONT AXLE SHAFTS!! Don't ask how I know . Precision 464 is the right number for the axle shafts (as jwilliams and others have pointed out at least 1000 times). The 464 grease fitting is in the cross; it's in the cap on the 295.



Ryan

 

[FLynes]

The only problem I could see with having the zirc fitting at the cross, is that it creates a weak spot in the metal, and will crack under extreme stress... don't ask me how I know! My old dealership and I had words over my 97 :-{}

 

[rbattelle]

The only problem I could see with having the zirc fitting at the cross, is that it creates a weak spot in the metal, and will crack under extreme stress... don't ask me how I know! My old dealership and I had words over my 97 :-{}

I agree completely; that's why Precision "Super Strength" joints always have the fitting in the cap. But as JWilliams points out, that 464 is an exceptionally strong joint.



On a stock truck you're unlikely to snap one.



Ryan

 

[rbattelle]

Anyone have any tricks to getting the little retaining rings out of the front universals? These aren't the ones that are on the outside of the caps, they're snapped around the base of the cap inside the shaft yoke.



Normally I don't have too much trouble with these, but I've got one that seems to be stuck. Already snapped one pin punch.



Ryan

 

[Bertram65]

Is it the same part number for the rear U joints?

 

[BHolm]

I think some care has to be taken during the install too. I recently picked up an '03 2500 QC SB with a hemi and it had a vibe at 60k miles. The dealer went to put joints in the rear driveshaft and found someone had bent one of the yokes. Must have happened at an earlier joint replacement. Anyway, for the $100 7/70 deductible I had a new driveshaft installed and it is back to smooooooth.

 

[nickleinonen]

i think soon i am going to be needing another rear u-joint. . getting a squeek squeek noise when coming to a stop putting the clutch in [unloads driveshaft slightly when the squeek happens] pos mopar ungreased parts

 

[rbattelle]

Just got the passenger front axle joint out. It was actually in perfect shape! Well greased, moving freely.

I'm still replacing it with a Precision 464.

Ryan