Universal Joints

[Jarrett088]

I am looking to replace my U-joints and was wondering about the difference in them. Autozone has Brute Force,which are supposed to be heavy duty and have lifetime lubrication. Others are the greasable type. Which type is better? Are there any brand name- heavy duty joints that you guys use or recommend? Brands I should stay away from? Or are they all about the same?

Tim

 

[Fischer]

I was looking into doing all of mine with the greaseable style zirc fitting at Checker and AutoZone, PepBoys, etc...

I found that they are all the same almost. They are someting like 300 series steel. Which I believe is cast then fordged, so they are hard metal.

Some say that the greaseable kind are weaker as they have a very small channel inside? but last longer.

Then on the other hand you have a sealed style which will wear out faster then break.

So in my opinion it is kind of a wash. One will wear out and break and one will possibly break under extreme thrashing.

I just want some friggin zirc fittings on my truck so I can justify buying a grease gun and 2 tubes of grease (this is before I knew that we have ZERO zirc fittings. LOL

 

[Jarrett088]

Zirc fittings? Is that what they're called? I'm assuming your talking about the fitting you put the grease in. If I have them on my steering assembly,does that mean all that has been replaced? I bought it used. So.... were the original ones from the factory, the sealed ones? Or did they come with fittings? Also I'm guessing that it really doesn't matter which u-joints I get, it's a matter of preference.I'll probably go with the sealed.

Tim

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I would not buy anything but SPICER (this is the brand name). I had bad luck with the autoparts store cheapos. If you can't find a parts store that sells SPICER a place that specializes in building drive shats would probably have them.

 

[Fischer]

Originally posted by Jarrett088
Zirc fittings? Is that what they're called? I'm assuming your talking about the fitting you put the grease in.
Tim

That's what they are called, allrighty. I am not sure about your steering assy. as I have a 95 and I am sure they are just a bit different. Maybe not, I'll have to look closer on mine.

Yes the stock ones are sealed and supposedly good for what Ford declares the life of the vehicle.

I'll have to look into the SPICER ones. hmmmm

 

[dogfriend]

You could check out this link http://www.spicerdriveshaft.com/literature/light_vehicle.html

They seem to have a lot of info.

I used to work for a heavy duty truck manufacturer and we used Spicer exclusively. Of course, those u-joints are a little too large for an Explorer

 

[Hartman]

How much do the u-joints run at Autozone a piece? Mine are sqeaking really bad, and not only is that mean they're going bad, it's also very embarrassing.

 

[Jarrett088]

I believe the Brute Force were something like $13, the others were a little less. I may try to do them today along with repacking my wheel bearings. I just brought the dog in,and it's raining !! My plans may be put on hold, but we need the rain bad!

Tim

 

[mrorayus]

Zerk fit's

Originally posted by Jarrett088
Zirc fittings? Is that what they're called? I'm assuming your talking about the fitting you put the grease in. If I have them on my steering assembly,does that mean all that has been replaced? I bought it used. So.... were the original ones from the factory, the sealed ones? Or did they come with fittings? Also I'm guessing that it really doesn't matter which u-joints I get, it's a matter of preference.I'll probably go with the sealed.

Tim

Most all explorers came from the factory with 4 grease fittings until the re-design in 1995, whereas all (2) ball joints were factory sealed.

 

[Jarrett088]

Thanks for clearing that up.I was beginning to wonder why everything would've been replaced. Anyway I decided to hold off a while on the U-joints. My brother insists that they are ok. I did replace and repack the wheel bearings though,including the races. Still have that classic "Explorer" shake!

Tim