10 bolt kills another u-joint

[scotsdale83]

This past weekends wheeling trip, I took out another front axle shaft u-joint. The long side. Is there a particular brand that you guys have found that works well. I have been using carquest u-joints. Also another question, I am running warn premium hubs. I have heard diffrent opinions on running the c-clip and not running it. Is it even possible to run the clip? A guy said thats why I have blow a couple u-joints. The axle moved out and bound up causing it to blow.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Spicer u-joints are the best that you can buy from a parts store but most won't have them.

As for the c-clip (you're talking about the one that snaps onto the end of the axle shaft, right?), its not causing u-joint failures whether its there or not. It really doesn't do much.

 

[pauly383]

On 60's the clip is very important . On 10 bolts , in my experience , are not needed . I couldn't even put my first set of locking hubs on the axle with it in there ( superwinch crap ) . So I don't run them now with my premiums .

What breaks axles and joints the most is being on it with the wheel cranked to the end of its steering travel , or being on the gas when on an undercut obstacle a small tire has no way in hell to climb up .

 

[scotsdale83]

Thanks guys. So the 60's the clip is important? That must have been what they were talking about then. The last time I had the axle apart I looked at putting the clip on and it didnt seem possible any ways.

What parts stores carry spicer u-joints? I know we get them at work some times but thats for tractor trailer trucks.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Around here none of the chain stores carry Spicer stuff, I get all my Spicer stuff from a drivetrain store that's only here in CO.

You can buy them online from a bunch of different places, PORC has them for $27.

 

[scotsdale83]

I searched on spicers website and found a plae just down the road from work that carries them. Is this the correct part number for the front axle shaft u-joints? Spicer 5-760x

 

[bigblock72]

That's the one you want, about 10% stronger than the part store 297 joint. Order 3; one for each axle and one to carry in the tool bag.

It's also very important to inspect the clips that hold the caps in. They like to pop out under hard use, once the clip pops out the joint fails quickly.

 

[jonathon]

www.4wheelcustoms.com has 5-760x's for under $20 a piece.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Did you look at the condition of the small roller bearings inside the spindle that the stub shaft rides on?

Also make sure the yokes on the shafts are in good shape. Just slight damage from the u-joint failing (a failed u-joint usually ruins at least one of the shafts) will cause the cap to not sit tight and work it's way out.

 

[scotsdale83]

Thanks for all your help guys hopefully I can get the joints tommorow