Best u-joints ?

[Rox Crusher]

My relatively new rear driveline already needs new u-joints.

I believe I bought Napa Gold brand last time.

Any recommendations on best brand and supplier ?

[Digger]

Buy Spicer. Never look back.

I worked at NAPA in college. I blew up many of their U-joints. Parts store U-joints are all garbage.

[Justin]

What digger said. I buy mine from drive shaft shops. Many Napa gold parts are made by Spicer, but I'm not sure about u joints.

[cravenbronco]

Buy Spicer. Never look back.

I worked at NAPA in college. I blew up many of their U-joints. Parts store U-joints are all garbage.

X2

[Rox Crusher]

I understood that Napa Gold were actually Private label made by Spicer

Maybe I should stay out of water and lube them more frequently.

[ZOSO]

safe to say the ujoint at the rear pinion is what failed? Too tight of ujoint straps will cause them to fail prematurely also.

[Digger]

I understood that Napa Gold were actually Private label made by Spicer

Maybe I should stay out of water and lube them more frequently.

The problem with parts store private label is that you don't know who's really making it because it changes all the time. Even if it's in a MOOG or Federal Mogul box, sub-supplier changes are commonplace these days. When I was at NAPA, I spent a whole week changing and relabeling the U-joints because the sub-supplier changed. I no more than finished the project when I had to change them all back because the new supplier was producing very sub-standard parts. Here are two D44 u-joints I broke, both from NAPA. Notice they are not the same? Also notice one was made in Japan, the other in USA, both still crap.

UJoints.jpg

Since switching to SPICER (and paying twice as much), I haven't broke anything or destroyed any axle shafts as a result. But that is just my 2 cents.

[mickphatmac]

You might want to turn your Boost down a little!

...and stop re-loading at work!

[Rox Crusher]

safe to say the ujoint at the rear pinion is what failed? Too tight of ujoint straps will cause them to fail prematurely also.

nope, it's the outboard one on the CV (farthest from transfer case)

I'm going to replace them all with Spicer if I can find them

[Digger]

safe to say the ujoint at the rear pinion is what failed? Too tight of ujoint straps will cause them to fail prematurely also.

nope, it's the outboard one on the CV (farthest from transfer case)

I'm going to replace them all with Spicer if I can find them

Amazon.

[Digger]

You might want to turn your Boost down a little!

...and stop re-loading at work!

Ha! I knew someone would see that. Would you believe I pulled that round, perfectly intact, out of tree trunk while splitting wood last week?

[TOOLMAN]

You could use Tom Woods Gold Seal joints...they not only guarantee the joint but also your driveshaft if they break. I just got mine rebuilt with them, so I don't know of their quality just yet. I'm sure Tom wouldn't put crap on their driveshafts.

http://www.customdriveshafts.com/

[Jesus_man]

There are some awesome joints out there. (CTM still make some? ) But as others have said, most of us will be happy with Spicer. If you know your part number, try 4wheel parts as well. Just make darn sure you got the one you asked for. They usually have good prices.