Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

[Tracy C.]

I've spent some time in the archives today and found recommendations for the Spicer p/n 5-799X u-join as a good replacement option for mid year half shafts.

I've also read Gary Ramadei 's write up that indicates the larger sectional area of the "cross" on these Spicer u-joints will require a relief notch to be ground in the yolks of the half shaft and spindle flange. There is also a possiblity that the hard plastic grease seal could fail if the caps are over pressed during installation.

I'm not particularly fond of removing material from the yolks just so I can have "stronger" u-joints. That seems counter productive to me, but maybe I'm over thinking this. Also, the prospect of a cracked/damaged grease seal doesn't thrill me either.

Is there an alternate solid body u-joint out there that is closer to the original OEM design that would be a good choice? My car is a restoration project, not a bracket racer. Sure it will be exercised at WOT on occasion, but only when driven on days that end in "y"...

thanks for the help.

tc

[Rob M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Tracy,

I just did this on my '66 and used the Spicer U-joint that you listed. I had them installed on the half shafts by a driveline shop in town to be safe and bolted them back on the car. There wasn't any need to alter the half shafts or yolks. So far, I am very happy with the results.

FWIW

[Gary R.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Tracy
You may not need to trim the yokes much. I found every one is a little different, some shafts I didn't need to trim at all, others just one side. The amount removed will not weaken them.
As for the black rings, yeah those can be a bear. I've had them break just removing a cap. I have a source to get the rings so I stock then and add them in with a new joint if I sell one. Once they're installed they're rock solid.
There are other joints out there but in my opinion these are the best and only ones I use. We blew apart a posi case in our 75 a few years ago from a lot of abuse but the joints were as tight as they day installed. That sold me on them.
Good luck.

[Larry M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Tracy:

Gary R and others are correct that the Spicers are the best available. However, I recently replaced all my U-joints in my '67 and used the ones from Federal-Mogul and sold under the following AC DELCO and GM Numbers. Made in USA and without grease fittings. I think they will be good for most applications with our cars. Cost is also reasonable.

Halfshaft: AC # 45U0123 and GM # 89029305. About $20/each.

Driveshaft: AC # 45U0145 and GM # 89029327. About $18/each.

These U-joints have black seals and look reasonably close to originals.....especially the halfshaft joints. You will need to remove each cap and repack with high temp wheel bearing grease prior to assembly.

My originals were a real bit** to press out, even after soaking in PB Blaster and Kroil for a week. I used a 20 ton press, and each time they moved a bit coming out it sounded like a .38 caliber going off in the garage. But I was successful and didn't destroy anything. Assembly was a breeze.....pressed in with a large bench vise.

A special backing plate is required for the halfshaft joints containing the flange to avoid bending/distorting the flange. These backing plates can be bought or made.

Larry

[Timothy B.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Tracy,

I tried using the HD Spicer joints and also had problems. I did what Larry suggested with the AC Delco joints and everything went together fine.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Larry,

Thank you for the part numbers! My local chevy dealer does not stock these, but I've found a couple of sources online.

Appreciate everyone's input.

tc

[Larry M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Larry,

Thank you for the part numbers! My local chevy dealer does not stock these, but I've found a couple of sources online.

Appreciate everyone's input.

tc

I ordered mine from my local Chevrolet Dealer and also got a 25% discount in price. They were drop shipped from Federal-Mogul in Chicago to the dealer, and I received in about a week.

But as you say, there are other sources for them. Get what is best for you.

Larry

[Tracy C.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Larry,

Pricing at http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ is pretty favorable for these parts. I went ahead and bought two sets. At some point down the road they may be discontinued as overall demand drops off.

Gary,
I very much appreciate your help through writing up the replacement step by step on the other forum. Your experience with the 75 3rd member is very interesting. For someone with your mechanical aptitude for rebuilding a pumpkin, this may be the preferred failure mode. For someone like me, it is cheaper to retain the U-joint as the weak link the driveline and simply replace them as a scheduled maintenance item.

Thanks to all for the help,
tc

[Terry M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Tracy:

Gary R and others are correct that the Spicers are the best available. However, I recently replaced all my U-joints in my '67 and used the ones from Federal-Mogul and sold under the following AC DELCO and GM Numbers. Made in USA and without grease fittings. I think they will be good for most applications with our cars. Cost is also reasonable.

Halfshaft: AC # 45U0123 and GM # 89029305. About $20/each.

Driveshaft: AC # 45U0145 and GM # 89029327. About $18/each.

These U-joints have black seals and look reasonably close to originals.....especially the halfshaft joints. You will need to remove each cap and repack with high temp wheel bearing grease prior to assembly.

My originals were a real bit** to press out, even after soaking in PB Blaster and Kroil for a week. I used a 20 ton press, and each time they moved a bit coming out it sounded like a .38 caliber going off in the garage. But I was successful and didn't destroy anything. Assembly was a breeze.....pressed in with a large bench vise.

A special backing plate is required for the halfshaft joints containing the flange to avoid bending/distorting the flange. These backing plates can be bought or made.

Larry

Larry.

Will those part numbers work for C3s? Specifically a 1970 LT1?

[Steve L.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Tracy:



My originals were a real bit** to press out, even after soaking in PB Blaster and Kroil for a week. I used a 20 ton press, and each time they moved a bit coming out it sounded like a .38 caliber going off in the garage. But I was successful and didn't destroy anything. Assembly was a breeze.....pressed in with a large bench vise.


Larry

I experienced the same problem pressing them out with a 20 ton press. I eventually used Garry's suggestion of cutting the old one out with a 4 1/2 angle grinder, then pressing out each individual bearing. This was a lot easier.

[Larry M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Larry.

Will those part numbers work for C3s? Specifically a 1970 LT1?

Terry:

I checked two Corvette parts books (non-GM) and they indicate that they will fit the '70 LT-1. Half-shafts for certain, driveshaft COULD be questionable. However, I will also check the GM parts book I have as soon as I can find it.

The AC DELCO website should also have a complete listing of everything the part(s) will fit. I will check that also for you.

Joe L probably knows the correct answer from memory.

Larry

[Larry M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Terry:

I checked two Corvette parts books (non-GM) and they indicate that they will fit the '70 LT-1. Half-shafts for certain, driveshaft COULD be questionable. However, I will also check the GM parts book I have as soon as I can find it.

The AC DELCO website should also have a complete listing of everything the part(s) will fit. I will check that also for you.

Joe L probably knows the correct answer from memory.

Larry

Terry:

All the info I can find (including two GM Parts Books)indicates that the part numbers I provided will work for a 1970 LT-1. The halfshafts for sure, and the driveshaft should also be okay. The only other driveshaft U-joint part number for this time period was for an automatic transmission.......and I just know your LT-1 would not be so equipped

Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint recommendations?

Terry:

All the info I can find (including two GM Parts Books)indicates that the part numbers I provided will work for a 1970 LT-1. The halfshafts for sure, and the driveshaft should also be okay. The only other driveshaft U-joint part number for this time period was for an automatic transmission.......and I just know your LT-1 would not be so equipped

Larry

That driveshaft quirk was stuck in my memory from a previous Joe Lucia post. I just couldn't remember which was different -- the MT or the AT. I know there were spline changes too, but that is another issue that on the surface should have no bearing (bad pun intended) on the universal joints.

No shiftless LT1 in my garage.

Thanks for your help Larry. Sounds like another stock up the shelf run to the parts department.