I'm in the process of gearing up for Ball Joint replacment and thought that since the front end is coming apart that I should probably replace those axle U Joints while I'm at it. So far I've purchased the XRF upper and lower ball joints which everyone seems to recommend. Is there any recommendations on U joints? The only ones I'm seeing are the Spicers and Stock ones..... Also, is there anything else I should replace in addition to these items? All the Tie Rod ends have recently been replaced with NAPA stock.

Thanks for any replies

 

I've always had great luck with Spicer products.

 

Every u-joint that's gone out on my truck has been replaced with greasable Precision u-joints from NAPA and have been flawless since installation. I'm sure there are better/more expensive joints out there but these have done well for me. Sorry I don't have P/N's but they can pull them up for you.

 

precision not precise!

 

I have had excellent luck with the greasable Brute Force U-Joint From NEAPCO

 

The only one I will use is the non-greasable Spicer Life u-joint. They are sealed from moisture intrusion far better than any greasable joint, and they were the OEM u-joint on Dodge trucks until they switched to the horrible AAM joints in 2003. My 96 still has factory Spicers in its driveshafts after 14 years, as do most of the 2nd gen trucks I know of.

 

Some guys will also remove their wheel-speed sensor from their front hub/bearing and pump some bearing grease in there while it's apart. I don't have any personal experience with that, so I'll let you be the judge on whether it will improve longevity or not.

 

I am in need of front u-joints too.. Spicer has always been good to me.

 

I went with greasable precision 464 front axle u-joints to replace the toasted stockers. I plan on greasing them every 7500 when I rotate the tires. I new the stock u-joint were toast when they started squeaking on tight turns and bleeding rust all over the rims.

 

That won't do any good as the Unit bearing bearings are sealed grease for life bearings. They are not serviceable.

 

This is actually a way to service the non-serviceable bearings. The wheel-speed sensor is installed into a bore that leads right into the bearing cavity. If you remove the sensor, you can essentially "repack" the bearing. Some people claim they pump grease into that hole until it has flushed all the dirty grease out through the seal. I don't think it's good to pack the bearing with that much grease, but if it was mine, I might be tempted to put a couple squirts of fresh grease in.

 

The bearings them selves are sealed. That's why they are called grease for life. The grease you put in the ABS hole isn't going to get into the bearings. But if it makes you feel better go ahead and do it.

 

No they aint!! I had issues with them not fittin and destroyin the ears

 

I just replaced my ujoints with the precision 330A. I got about 120k out of the last precisions so I guess that I an't complain about that.

Jim