Greasable vs non greasable axle joints

[desertrat67]

What are the benefits to the cheaper non greasable spicer joints(SPL 55-3X) vs. the greasable(SPL 5-4X). How does the 5-806X compare to either of these?

 

[desertrat67]

ok, I see the 55-4X replaced the 5-733 and the 55-3X replaced the 5-806X.

Still what is the strength diference between the 55-3X and 55-3X?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Some people will argue that the non greaseable are stronger since those u-joints aren't drilled all the way through the cross for grease to get to all the caps. Me personally, i would rather have a u-joint that i can grease after going through a water crossing so i can get the water and whatever else out that will make the joint go bad. Even the non greaseable u-joints still have the cross partially drilled. I think it is more user preference than anything though.

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

the non greasable are said to last longer and have a better seal. usually if you take one apart even at the junk yard it will still be full of grease!

 

[desertrat67]

I agree with wanting to be able to get the gunk out after water/mud play. I wheel any terrain I can and mud is not an exception. If the 55-3x is drilled even partially I think the greasable will suit me better. I had good luck with the 5-332X joints which were replaced by the 5-733X and now the 55-4X. Thanks guys.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The hole in the middle makes very little difference in the strength of the joint (the strength is in the outside diameter, the material removed probably makes the joint only a few percent weaker).

The non greasable seals are better, if you're in the mud and will actually grease the joints very frequently (every trip or every other trip) than the greasable joints are probably the way to go.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I posted this a couple weeks ago if you do a quick search. There were a few guys that replied with their opinions of the sealed vs greaseables in wet/muddy conditions.

 

[desertrat67]

Thanks Brian. It looks like it is all preference. One of the guys stated 39.5s and a 454. I don't think my 6.2 will ever make the torque of the 454 so I think the greasables will do better for me. Thanks everyone.

 

[chulisohombre]

ive always used the non-greaseable.im lazy so i dont like having to grease the joints everytime i go through mud.the only ones ive ever had go out were the greaseable ones.replaced them with the non and have never had trouble.they seem to have better seals and better grease so as not to have to clean them and regrease them.its just plain easier to not have to think about it.there is so much maintanace on our trucks already,why create more??just my opinion.

 

[blazin_blazer]

could the non-greasable caps(better seals) be placed on the greasable joints? best of both worlds?

 

[desertrat67]

I am guessing not. reason being the seal is made to keep contaminates aout, but also keep the grease in. The first time you tried to grease them, you would either not be able to(seal to good to flush bad grease/gunk out) or you would just deform the seal.

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

honestly i think you should get one of both and try them out yourself thats pretty much what i did and im happy with the non greasables and look what the front axle has its non greaseable and last a long time.

 

[6.2Blazer]

I have a set of the Spicer greasable style joints in my D60. They have a triple lip seal design that works really well...so well that I could not pull the caps off the joint by hand.

If you pump enough grease into these that it pumps out past the seal, then you've basically just broken the seal and will junk in it. The only time you should grease something enough where it starts squirting out around the joint is if it does not have a decent seal, like just a dirt guard.

 

[reddog64]

Complete opinion here -

I like the greasable on the drive train, non greasable on the dana 60 axle shafts...

 

[Mudstud]

I tend to prefer greasable but if the non greasables stay fresh then there is no reason to fool with them. How do you know if they are staying fresh? By expreience of others who claim that the non greasables are well lubed even after 20 years of use. Trust your seals. I wish my last purchase of a 60 joint was non greasable. Cuz now I've got one or two trunions that will let grease come out but 2 or 3 that don't. I try and push the seal closed where it comes out at to try and force the grease to start coming out in other spots. This is a PIA and am I really reaping any benefits here? - The answer is no.

Pic from Pirate.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Thanks Brian. It looks like it is all preference. One of the guys stated 39.5s and a 454. I don't think my 6.2 will ever make the torque of the 454 so I think the greasables will do better for me. Thanks everyone.

That was probably me. I use greasables. I've had good luck with them. Synthetic grease only. I think conventional grease would probably be just as good if you lube after every water outing (which I do).

I'm starting to wonder if using conventional grease would provide better oozing into the grease cups. As Mudstud mentioned he has a couple of trunions that don't seem to get grease coming out. I think I find warmed up dino grease alot easier flowing than the synthetic. This may help get to those stubborn drier cups - I don't know for sure, just trying to come up with a solution.

The ultimate ujt would have grease cups on every cup. The CTM units are like this. Too bad the price is around $500 for two ujts though. Mind you, it would be the last ujt you ever needed probably.

Two years ago I got a 18v electric grease gun and now lubing is a breeze. Wow, wish I would have gotten something like this sooner (or a pneumatic grease gun).

 

[Mudstud]

One great slolution would be a tool that would wrap around the trunion and squeeze the seal, forcing the grease to flow a new direction.

 

[desertrat67]

Well, I ended up getting the non greasables due to the fact that these will only be used until I leave for Iraq this summer then they will become spare shafts after my return. I will go with Longfields after that. I appreciate all the replies and opinions given.

ryan