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Installing a new u joint?

bassackwards

bassackwards

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Got my new U joint to finish my 14b install.

Newb question? Which way does the driveshaft spin and should I worry about getting the grease fitting location on the compression side?

I searched for pics and didn't find any
 
I install the u-joints with the grease zerk facing the rear of the truck,I find its easier to get a grease gun on one in that position--but on the joint at the diff you may still have to take out one yoke bolt to get the coupler on it--if you use a needle point grease tip then it doesn't really matter which way it faces..(the front CV joints may be fussy about where a zerk is though)..
 
diesel4me said:
I install the u-joints with the grease zerk facing the rear of the truck,I find its easier to get a grease gun on one in that position--but on the joint at the diff you may still have to take out one yoke bolt to get the coupler on it--if you use a needle point grease tip then it doesn't really matter which way it faces..(the front CV joints may be fussy about where a zerk is though)..
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This is what I thought but if the driveshaft turns cc when looking from back to front the grease fitting will not be in the compression position
 
bassackwards said:
This is what I thought but if the driveshaft turns cc when looking from back to front the grease fitting will not be in the compression position
Click to expand...
Are you worried about some sort of durability issue?
All greaseable u-joints are cross drilled.
I think if you exceed the load capacity, they will break regardless of zerk fitting position.
But i got a solution;
Install a solid, non greaseable, u-joint.
 
K5wrench said:
Are you worried about some sort of durability issue?
All greaseable u-joints are cross drilled.
I think if you exceed the load capacity, they will break regardless of zerk fitting position.
But i got a solution;
Install a solid, non greaseable, u-joint.
Click to expand...


Not that worried but I'm old school where you paid attention to stuff like that
 
bassackwards said:
Not that worried but I'm old school where you paid attention to stuff like that
Click to expand...
I worked at a driveline shop for 2 years.
Never heard about clocking the zerk a specific way.
Just put it which way is easiest to grease.
 
K5wrench said:
I worked at a driveline shop for 2 years.
Never heard about clocking the zerk a specific way.
Just put it which way is easiest to grease.
Click to expand...


There was a time when they would break through the hole if installed incorrectly.
 
bassackwards said:
There was a time when they would break through the hole if installed incorrectly.
Click to expand...
Okay.
I've seen them break from being abused in low range.
I suppose they would let loose along the weakest point.
But, you might consider yourself lucky that the u'joint let loose before something else, perhaps more expensive and difficult to replace, broke instead.
If you get a solid u-joint, there is no cross drilling or passage from the zerk fitting to weaken the cross.
 
K5wrench said:
Okay.
I've seen them break from being abused in low range.
I suppose they would let loose along the weakest point.
But, you might consider yourself lucky that the u'joint let loose before something else, perhaps more expensive and difficult to replace, broke instead.
If you get a solid u-joint, there is no cross drilling or passage from the zerk fitting to weaken the cross.
Click to expand...

I ordered the Moog 447 to finish my 14 bolt install.
 
Actually, it is recommended to install so the zerk is under compression during rotation. To accommodate easier access you can turn it forward or backward to ease getting to it. A good trick is to line it up with the zerk in the slip joint then you have them both at about the same place when you grease the shaft. Did that make sense? It did in my mind...
You can always jack it up on stand and put in gear to check rotation. Can't remember which way it turns just off the top of my head.
 
Its a moog joint. Its gonna crush the needle bearings in no time anyways.
 
Looking from the front of the vehicle, the crankshaft rotates clockwise. This clockwise motion carries all the way through the driveline to the rear piñon while in forward gears.
 
Turns the same direction as the engine. Easy peasy. I use Spicer Life myself but I like strong. They last forever without lubing them and definitely stronger.
 
obijuank5 said:
Its a moog joint. Its gonna crush the needle bearings in no time anyways.
Click to expand...

Yep, and it doesn't matter how often you grease the regular parts store junk, they will still wear and get loose. The spicer joints (and neapco) are a few bucks more, but will actually hold up. I haven't seen the regular parts store junk last more than 50k.
 
I've replace literally thousands of U-joints when I had my machine shop and you should always install the u-joint with the grease fitting toward the driveshaft rather than the yoke or differential. If it is a simple 1 piece driveline I install them so that the grease fitting is clocked 180* apart to help maintain balance.
 
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