Does anybody know of a higher quality u-joint than what is in our trucks from the factory? I am in the process of replacing my front drive shaft u-joints with greasable ones at 62,0000 miles and have already had the back ones replaced under warranty once.

Seems like I saw a set of really high quality ones in a 4x4 mag somewhere.

 

CTM is the best there is...

Ox makes some too I think. AAM Drivelines suck, but their axles are ok...

Dana has way better Driveshaft Parts. Thats why they are making the new 4500/5500 Driveshafts... but you didn't hear it from me.

 

What are the benefits, if any, of beefing up my axles? I know that I would like to upgrade my U-joints though. What does CTM stand for?

 

i put spicer greasable u-joints (front and back) on last may. i was told they would last a good 100,000 miles if properly lubricated-we'll see!

 

Wiggs,
Those axles are plenty beefy.

 

That's what I figured. But I also figured it was worth asking people who know a LOT more than I do!

Which is better: Spicer or CTM?

 

CTM U-joints are made by CTM Racing Products http://www.ctmracing.com/ they are probably one of the strongest u-joints out there and used primarly by rock crawling rigs. They are great quality but so are Spicer. You ask which is better, I suppose the CTM but they sure cost a hell of a lot more. If you don't really need that high strength of a joint, Spicer is also high quality. The spicer joints in my Jeep that I take crawling seem to be working just fine.

 

Thanks Pearce! That's great advice!

 

Wiggs,
For what you do with your truck you are better off with a good set of spicer greasables.

 

Can CTM's handle constant street speeds??

I know CTM's are one of the best u-joints for a rock crawler but what about highway use??

BTW CTM's are only available for Dana 60 and Dana 44 axle's.

 

I had read where the only "direct replacement" u-joints for our trucks were made by AAM and now just recently NEAPCO. I just ordered a NEAPCO for the rear of my truck. Also, are greaseables as strong as non greaseables???

 

i was told that the greaseables arnt as good...

 

Greaseables are not as strong as non-greaseable. Never seen any high end greaseable spicer u-joints. The holes that are put in the endcap or in the cross make the joint weaker and they can break. Get the Spicers....great u-joints.

 

I will take a look today at some Spicer NON-greasables. Seems like that would be the better logical choice anyway for my application. If my reasoning is faulty, someone please correct me!

 

Get greasable...

99 out of 100 times...U-Joint Failure is from lack of grease, even in high HP applications.

I broke one of the cross arms off of my most rear at 100k. Guess what one...the one with NO grease left in the cap. It is also the joint that gets "washed" down the most from road moisture/debree and power washers.

Go figure. Greasable Spicers from NAPA went back into my truck.

The front one in the rear driveline is a pain with the big ole honking balancer weight so close. The old school hammer tap here...tap there to get them to not bind/loosen up was hard!