Are all u-joints created equal?

[ContryboyFE]

I am finally getting my 68 put back together after the brand new u joints I installed last spring granaded on me. I am setting the truck up to be 40% toy/play/cruise & 60% work/farm. I want the strongest u joints I can get/afford. Mostly GET! What have you guys used on your performance apps? I have a mild 360, a T18 granny 4 speed, & a HD clutch.

[eggman918]

I only run Spicer U-joints,but my driveline man says good things about Neapco as well.
If you remember to grease them at every oil change that will help there life also,grease until clean grease comes out all four seals.

[ContryboyFE]

The pair that failed didn't even make it to the next oil change.

[eggman918]

Check out this link it might be helpful http://www2.dana.com/pdf/3272-2.pdf

[ContryboyFE]

That is some very good info. Thanks. I dodnt have anything left when the front one failed to inspect though. My drive shaft ripped out of my truck & into a field never to be seen again. All I had left were three of the caps. Two up front & one in back. They were O'Reilly's premium brand. I thought since I had it apart I would build it the best way possable. I didn't install the ones I replaced. They were done by my shop when I had the T18 installed.

[KnockKnock]

Spicers are good. Precisions seem to last, but I wouldn't use the U-joint with the Zerk-fitting in anything bigger than a 1/2-ton, and NEVER behind a big-block since they are prone to cracking under serious load.

[ContryboyFE]

Then I just $#_32d up all the way around! My truck is a heavy duty 1/2 & I've got a big block. The ones I installed had the grease fitting.
I never thought of that but it makes perfect sense though. They have a factory installed weak spot. Plus they are hallow. Ther set I replaced did not have a grease fitting.
If I cand find a dealer near me I'm going to go with spiecer.

[ContryboyFE]

Spicers are good. Precisions seem to last, but I wouldn't use the U-joint with the Zerk-fitting in anything bigger than a 1/2-ton, and NEVER behind a big-block since they are prone to cracking under serious load.

Without driving an hour into the city & maybe finding someone Spicers are now out. Percition had a HD version but it still had a zert fitting. It was through one of the caps though. Auto zone had a HD version in their house brand that didn't have a Zert fitting. Have any of you used or know how reliable they are? I don't want to have to track down another short bed drive shaft.

I do think i am going to have my local shop press them in this time to avoid operator error. They quoted me $40 to do it with the drive shaft out of the truck. That seemed like a good price especially since I don't have all the PROPPER tools.

[70shortwide]

I have Precision Ujoints (Oreilly premium brand), with grease zerks. havent had any trouble out of them with a mini spool and 10" of tread... Ive been pretty hard on them as well. IMO with the combo your running they SHOULD be fine. I would suspect that they were either installed wrong, or your driveline angles are off.

[ContryboyFE]

I have Precision Ujoints (Oreilly premium brand), with grease zerks. haven't had any trouble out of them with a mini spool and 10" of tread... I've been pretty hard on them as well. IMO with the combo your running they SHOULD be fine. I would suspect that they were either installed wrong, or your drive line angles are off.

I tend to lean towards improper installation. Especially sine I don't really have the proper tools.

I was hard on the original pair. They survived a 17 year old with a big block learning to drive a stick. Then once I learned I pushed the truck to its max potential.
Have you ever seen/used the HD Precision Ujionts before?

[70shortwide]

I know that a common mistake is to tighten the ubolts too tight on the pinion yolk. itll grind the needles to nothing right away. I caught that on my truck a couple days after I installed the joint and replaced it.

Here is a link to the exact joints that I have in my truck:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0362

IMO these will be fine in your truck, as long as your angles are right and theyre installed correctly. Im running somewhere between 5-600hp with more torque, 10" wide tread and spooled. havent had any trouble in the last year, roughly 2000 miles. I know thats not a lot of driving, but its assuredly harder driving than your doing...

[ContryboyFE]

I know that a common mistake is to tighten the ubolts too tight on the pinion yolk. itll grind the needles to nothing right away. I caught that on my truck a couple days after I installed the joint and replaced it.

Here is a link to the exact joints that I have in my truck:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0362

IMO these will be fine in your truck, as long as your angles are right and theyre installed correctly. Im running somewhere between 5-600hp with more torque, 10" wide tread and spooled. havent had any trouble in the last year, roughly 2000 miles. I know thats not a lot of driving, but its assuredly harder driving than your doing...

REALLY! I did not know that about bolting them too tight. If that's the case what's the proper torque?
The HD were only a few $$$ more & for my piece of mind ill probably go with them. I've gone over kill with everything else. Blue printed motor, HD clutch, ECT
The agles should all be factory. Its not lifted/lowered or anything no major accidents. But it is 45 yrs old.

[eggman918]

8 to 15 ft/lbs for 5/16-24 U bolts, and I also use blue lock tite for piece of mind.

[ContryboyFE]

Well there's the answer

[ContryboyFE]

That's exactly what I did wrong. It never occured to me to look up the torque specs. I just cranked her down TIGHT.

Thanks guy for all the help. Ill put some pics up when. She's back on the road.