Help on U-joints

[briwayjones]

Some questions on u-joints.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...94803602+4294925134+4294744933+115+4294907048

On this page it says one of these u-joints is solid and the other two are not. What is the difference between solid and non-solid u-joints? Do I want the solid, are they stronger I take it? Are these a decent brand? What brand would you go with? These fit for both the front and rear u-joint? And finally, these are for a Sport Trac, would they be the same for a 2003 Sport?

 

[Maniak]

As I understand it, solid u-joints are non greasable while the non solid ones have a grease zerk in them to regrease the joints like you would a tire rod or ball joint.

~Mark

 

[briwayjones]

feed me!

 

[IZwack]

For longevity, I'd go with the non-solid as long as you're not running like 33"+ tires or whatever.

 

[briwayjones]

For longevity, I'd go with the non-solid as long as you're not running like 33"+ tires or whatever.

Because they're greaseable? They're for my Sport with a SOHC so there's a little more power than a OHV. Plus I will be adding some power to it, nothing like a turbo or anything, but a underdrive pulley, tunes, ect., will it still be strong enough? What do they come with from the factory? I take it solid because to my knowledge there is no grease fittings on them?

 

[IZwack]

Because they're greaseable?

Yup. What kills U-joint 90% of the time is not stress or torque but rather a dried up cap -- which leads to the infamous bird chirp sound as the needle bearings in the cap are grinded away with each revolution from the lack of grease.

They're for my Sport with a SOHC so there's a little more power than a OHV. Plus I will be adding some power to it, nothing like a turbo or anything, but a underdrive pulley, tunes, ect., will it still be strong enough?

Yes a hollow one will be strong enough. Remember that the driveshaft experieces at the most 227% less torque than the axle shafts if you have 3.27 gear ratio. If you have say the 3.73, then the driveshaft will be subjected to even less - 273% less torque.

What do they come with from the factory? I take it solid because to my knowledge there is no grease fittings on them?

Yeah I think they come with solid. But with regular greasing every whatever thousand miles, a hollow one should last forever.