These are the part numbers and prices I found. Has anybody used any of these three, just want to make sure there correct before I order online. Also, I was looking for a Spicer but can not find any info on which ones will work with a 2004.5 2500. And all of these are greasable, are they better then the factory ones that you cant put grease in. I heard they were weaker if they were greasable, dont know if thats true or not. Napa(precision) and the Carquest I can get right here in town, the AC Delco I would have to order. They said the Carquest ones come in a Carquest box, but didnt catch the name they said that makes them, they said there US made and there made in Sacramento. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks


Carquest $46.99

ACDELCO Part # 45U0305 {#19114064} $47.79

Napa NPJ P464 $52.99 (online price for my area, but when I called them
they said they were $68.99)

 

since spicer isnt doing so good they never designed a joint for the competition...the stock joints are aam 1485wj , yes greasable joints are inherently weaker due to being drilled in the center for the grease channel.yes precision 464 is the correct joint. rockauto has them for a little less. If u dont want the greasables go with the neapcos.

 

neapco 2-0054, spicer greasable 5-160x, spicer nongrease 5-801x

 

Greasable might be weaker in theory but they last longer. I've never had a bearing failure on a greasable u-joint that was properly greased at regular intervals. I've had 3 failures, on this truck alone, of the non-greasable type.

 

homewrecker got the number wrong its neapco 3-0485 and its nongreasble.what greasables give up in strength they make up for in longevity.

 

Good catch mini! I don't think it comes down to greaseable or non greaseable.Its quality of whats installed.My factory u-joints went out with 30k on the truck.Once removed and inspected there was absolutely no grease in them even though the seal on all the caps appeared fine.I think this was more of a production problem than a general u-joint problem.I switched to Spicer non greasables and so far so good with 35k on them.I also own 2 01 3500's with a combined 350k miles still on the original factory u-joints.

 

my friends 03 bought brand new had 5k miles on it when his stated clicking away. i just had mine replaced under warranty 2 weeks ago, only let the dealer r&r cauz it was $100, They had to replace the drivers side axle and stub.

 

If you use non-greasables, make sure you open them up before you install them and pack them with grease. The last one I put in was next to dry. Leave some expansion room, don't pack them solid.

Cya

 

The 2nd gen trucks all came with Spicer Life non greasable joints, and they lasted pretty much forever. That is my u-joint of choice when I have to replace one on any vehicle.

On the 3rd gen trucks, Dodge switched to AAM joints and they have been a disaster. They wear out very prematurely on all positions on the truck. I have upgraded many to Spicer Life joints, with never another problem.

Through experience, I have learned to stay away from Precision joints, and try to stay away from all greasable joints. Their seals just aren't positive enough to keep the moisture out.

 

so which spicer joints are compatible, cauz i havent seen a cross reference to the aam 1485 in the spicer cat.

 

I used the greaseable Napa ones and they went in just fine. Go with the greaseable ones or plan on doing it again.

I have an auto which could reduce the shock load on the joints and I don't race it. They were both shot at 100,000 miles. Dry and stiff with black powder instead of needles.

Someone else recently mentioned getting non-greaseables and it turned out they were drilled in the cross but not for a zerk. Sheesh.

 

i havent seen the drilled no greasables, but have heard that some have a reservoir, maybe not drilled completly through, but thats defeating the purpose of having solid joints.next time around when im out of warranty i will be puting greasables in.

 

Thanks torquefan, I ordered those spicer u-joints this morning. Torquefan gave me this website for Dana/Spicer that lists the u-joint for the AAM axle.

http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/dek350.aspx

And the part number is 5006813

They were hard to find though, but I ordered them from a guy in Texas, if anybody needs his number its 832-289-9495 and his name is Gary. They are the non greasable, but they are Spicer Life u-joints so hopefully they will last.

Thanks again for all the replies.

 

You could always go with the neapco brand and have them drilled and taped. A 1/8 90 deg. zirk works great. (thats what i did) From my experience neapco is a great brand. We use them in pretty much all of the equipment that we build.

 

Passenger side u-joint and hub failed at 90K. Replaced with Precision 464 last summer. Now, today, at 150K miles I'm doing the driver's side u-joint since it started flopping around and has lost quite a few needles.

Napa surprised me with a Performer P464 Chinese-made joint that was too wide. Just picked up a Precision 464 that seems wider also than my factory cross. We'll see. BTW, Napa wanted $77, but the dear counter gal brought it down to $50. Lots of wiggle room on these prices so don't be afraid to ask.

While its up in the air, I applied the grease gun to the passenger side axle u-joint and got a good bit of water out of the joint before the grease came out. Guess I'll have to grease these monthly in the winter time.

BTW, last summer the passenger side hub failed so badly that I had to get towed home. Now, the driver's side hub bearings are tight, but a little noisy. So, I'm replacing the hub as well and doing the brakes while I'm at it. Arrrgh. I'm building up a good collection of spare wheel studs though from these old hubs.