I just put the new XRF ball joints in my truck and thought the outter U joint was good but now I have a cap seized. I replaced them about 40k ago with NAPA joints and was woundering if there is a better u joint avaiable. Thanks in advance

 

Funny thing I just came in from the garage where I was replacing another NAPA Chinese made lifetime warranty u joint.
Lifetime or not they only last 20 or 30 thousand because the grease takes the path of least resistance and does not go to all 4 caps.
Went to Spicer Life series 5006813.

 

I have replaced 3 sets, 2 o'reilys and one Car quest. so far all last about the same..... I am interested to know how those spicer's last. the best trick I found for changing the u-joints out, and maybe u guys know, none of the people around here seemed to know this, but after I get the drive line out, I put a thin cut wheel on the grinder and cut the legs off of the joint, then pound the caps inward. a lot easier.

 

I seem to get about 5 years out of the precision 464 u joints in the front axle. Just did one tonight. I cut the u joint with the plasma cutter and drove the caps in with an air hammer.

 

A thought that I had after replaceing the drive shaft U-joints. The grease that came in the joints if extreamly stiff. That grease needs to be removed to allow the grease gun grease to get to all 4 bearings.

Try greaseing a new cross with the bearing cups off and you can see what I mean.

I like to fill the cup with grease and when it is put on the cross the excess grease will exit the zerk opening.

 

Cleaned that thick grease out of the NAPA u joints with the same thinking in mind. Still did not get grease to all 4 caps so went bad.
The good news is I have done it so many times now I can easily replace a wheel u joint in less than 2 hours. Refreshments included.
The bad news is I have done it so many times now...

 

I recommend the Spicer Life Series u-joints for those of you that value your time.

 

Anyone know of a good online source for the Spicer Life u-joints?

 

Contact George at 8 Lug Truck Gear for the Spicer u-joints.

 

x2. They are all I'll use too. (and I know I sound like a broken record about it on here too. ) My 96 came from the factory with all Spicer Life joints, and they are all still original, except for the front axle joints.