Ok so I have read several threads about changing my front axle u joints and decided today that I would change them along with the ball joints. For some reason I could not get the 464 joints to fit. They would not go into the ears. From what I could tell is the cross body of the joint is to thick to allow the joint to clear the ear. It is not even close. The ears are not bent on either side of the joint and will not go into either side. Napa guy told me that they had the same problem with a another guys 03 a couple of weeks ago and had to use an 02 joint which was a 374 number. the problem with that is the clip slots don't clear the ears unless you use the caps from a 464 joint. now my question is what do i do. My truck is an early model from 03 with an AAM axle with the SO engine and four wheel drive with an automatic trans in case any needs to know to help me with this problem. Thanks for your help in advance because my truck is now sitting up on jack stands wait for an answer.

 

Is the diameter of the u joint cap too large to fit inside of the ear itself?

 

464 is the part number for the cardan joint, transfer case to front axle. The precision part number you want is 235 (greasable) and the rear u-joints are 330. The parts guy is a bonehead!

 

??? Every post I have read on here says use 464s for the stub axles in the front axle.

 

Sorry but you have been supplied the wrong information.

#464 is for the front axle steering joints (for each end of the front axle; passenger and driver side).

#464's do not even come with normal spring clips for a normal drive shaft U joint. They come with C-clips for mounting inside of the axle/steering ears.

I have broken and installed enough of them to know....


***Rock Auto's listing for the #464 indicates it is for the Cardan Joint however it does not fit the Cardan joint that rests near the transfer case.

The #464 is not even close to fitting the transfer case cardan joint on the front driveshaft. The #464 most closely resembles a #351 Rear driveshaft U joint as far as size goes (the #351 is used for manual transmission rear driveshafts)
It does go on however to say that it fits the "front steering axle" which is correct.

PRECISION Part # 464 {U Joint - Premium}
4WD; Double Cardan Joint; 2 Required; Position: Front Steering Axle

 

PourinDiesel

The caps DIA and lenght are the same as the 374 to the 464. Its when I go to place then u joint in the ears with no caps on that the thickness of the cross body doesn't fit. it won't let it drop in like the 374 does.

What do you thick about using the 374 body which is really a 351 body with 464 caps so that the clip slots are the same. now what ?

 

Well if something works and seems to fit perfectly or close to perfectly I would try it out.

From what I can gather from your posting it sounds like the body of the 464 is not letting itself get past the ears? (is that what you are getting at?)

 

well the passenger side is all back together. I used the 374 body with the 464 caps. I put a caliper to all sides and caps and it was either right on or less than 010 of an inche. drove just fine with no signs of trouble. I will try this combo for a week to see how it holds up before doing the other side.

The question is why did this happen and has this happen to any one else ? My only thoughts could be that this happen when dodge switch to AAM axles and dodge also switch to a different gen of truck. Anyone else have any thoughts or has anyone else heard of someone else having this problem ?

Thanks for all the help

 

PourinDiesel

That is correct the body of the 464 is not getting pass the ears itself on either side of the axle shaft. Do you have any ideas why this is ?

 

"bump"""""""""""

 

Dodge switched to AAM axles when they switched generations of truck (2nd to 3rd).

Your issue with 464's not fitting is the first I have heard of.

 

Just had trouble with precision 464 joints not fitting in the front steering joint spot. Not even close. Mastercrap 464 for $16 fits fine. The clip grooves on the Precision are about half a clip too far apart. We held them up in the store, you can see the difference. Tried 3 different joints from 2 stores, all bad.

Just doing the one failed side for now, will order some good ones next spring after the snow.

What's the best place to order some good ones (spicer or ?)

thanks.

 

there are 2 joints offered by precesion the 464 and the non fitting cheapo chinese p464 so make sure its the 464 that your buying

 

When the time comes, I recommend the Spicer Life Series. Contact George at 8 Lug Truck Gear for the parts.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll look him up.

After getting the cheap joint installed, I think I have 2 unrelated issues with the precision joint. All three I checked were stamped USA, so it's not a cheap chinese problem.

I think I have an early 2003 (built in late fall 2002, don't remember the month)

One, the snap ring grooves are machined too far apart to get both snap rings in, end of story.

Two, my driver's side axle side u-joint yokes have a manufacturing defect: the bores are co-linear (lined up perfectly), but the inside surface of one ear was machined out of parallel with the other ear; in other words, not square to the axis of the joint pivot. The outer edge is closer to the center of the axle, making it impossible to get the precision 464 cross in if you start it in the good ear (too tight, won't clear the bad ear). If you start it in the bad ear, the good ear provides enough clearance.

The outer yoke (wheel side) of the joint, ears are good. But the precision joint still won't fit (grooves too far apart).

I'll bet the original poster had the same bad ears on his u joint.