front Axle U-Joints AGAIN?!?!?!?

[TDS-MN]

Hey All,

Well, the title says it, I'm faced with the task of replacing the front axle u-joints again on my '85 K-10. This will be my 3rd set in what seems to be not that long of a time. Can't recall exactly when I had these fail last, but am currently hearing a popping sound and feeling the slight bind when cornering. Goes away if I unlock the manual hubs.

Is there a 'heavy duty' style of replacement that I might be able to try in place of the standard axle end u-joints?

I don't usually have to use 4WD except for occasional wintertime travel. I usually make a habit of manually locking the hubs every couple weeks in the rest of the year, just to make the front axles and all that move. But I'm guessing that the inactivity is what keeps fouling these up for me.

Would love to hear what any of you might be using, or if there are any maintenance tips that I'm missing out on. Thanks!

 

[jms]

Spicer 5-760X.

Any chance that the slight bind may be a cap trying to walk out on your current set?

If you feel so inclined, you could modify your set of axle shafts to accept a full-circle clip - takes a little time to grind, but seems worth the effort.

 

[TerryD]

The grease that comes in most u-joints is simply assembly grease used to hold the needle bearings in place during assembly at the factory. We usually put some "green grease" in each cap during installation and this seems to drastically extend the life. The set in Matt's F150 have been in for close to 3 years now and are still in excellent shape. He uses the Spicer 5-760X joints with full circle clips.

 

[TDS-MN]

Hmm, you have my interest in these and this full-circle clip approach. I am not sure I know at this point what type of 'grinding' modification I would be forced to do to run these though. Is there a source for a 'how-to' anywhere? I'm thinking that I haven't ever gotten much more that 4 years out of a set before, but I've always had them put in at the repair shop up until now. Thinking that maybe it's time I make this repair on my own.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Spicer 5-806x are the best axle joints money can buy.

Also are you running the clips on the end of the stub shafts? If not this could be causing your early failure of the joints. I have been running the same axle joints for a little over 8 years now and not a single issue with them.

 

[sweetk30]

spicer life series like those listed. and i think 4x4high listed the dana 60 joint.

for full circle clips you need to machine your current shafts.

 

[4X4HIGH]

spicer life series like those listed. and i think 4x4high listed the dana 60 joint.

for full circle clips you need to machine your current shafts.

Doesn't get much better does it.

 

[sweetk30]

ya but his profile is all stock k10 3.08 gears. so he have little axle.

 

[4X4HIGH]

ya but his profile is all stock k10 3.08 gears. so he have little axle.

Yeah, i was quick to post. I keep forgetting not everyone has a D60 up front "yet".