Hey guys, I'm having problems keeping the rear U-joint in my truck. I have had the truck for about 4 years and have put 5 u-joints in the back of this thing. I have been putting grease-able ones in and grease it every time I change the oil but now have another vibration and looking at changing it again. Does anyone else have this problem or should I try a different kind? Ive been using the regular ones from NAPA. Thanks

 

try going to a driveline company. they generally have better ones. i got a buddy who would blow em once a week. and those were a generic u joint. then he went to XXXXXXXX driveline and he hasn't blown it since. it's been 6 months

 

Use a Spicer 5-801X 1410 series, solid cross, sealed universal joint.

The solid cross (nongreaseable, sealed) joints are half again as strong as the hollow cross (greaseable, non sealed) and if left alone to their devices in a truck driven well will last 100,000+ road miles.

In my experience, regardless of brand, the hollow cross joints do not last in a low rpm high torque light duty application like a stock diesel pickup, much less a modified diesel pickup.

 

I had a drag car that ate the hell out of U-Joint after U-Joint. Sometimes shearing them straight down the middle (hard launches, no wheel hop). Part of my problem was the mere size of the U-Joint for the vehicle I was racing and I was trying to avoid building a larger driveshaft/U-Joint combo to deal with the power.

I found that Spicer replacements held up pretty well compared to various aftermarket ones. The real fix was new factory U-Joints at $75 a piece..... but those spicer units would hold up for a season where some of the other generic ones would shear with one or two passes down the 1/4 mile. I second Spicer replacements, good solid U-Joints.

 

Thats good to know Ill have to try a solid one. I have been greaseing the other ones everytime I change the oil but the needles in there just turn to dust. I thought it was from truck pulling at first but I havent hooked to a sled scince the last time I replaced it.