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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: PilotSmith on June 01, 2011, 09:08:36 PM

Title: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: PilotSmith on June 01, 2011, 09:08:36 PM
http://info.rockauto.com/Precision/Detail2img.html?HPE_398.jpg&Diagram_O_LIN.jpg (http://info.rockauto.com/Precision/Detail2img.html?HPE_398.jpg&Diagram_O_LIN.jpg)

Has anyone tried these? They are about $14. I want to replace all of mine but don't want to spend $75 a pop for oem u-joints.
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: fordguy79 on June 01, 2011, 09:26:23 PM
i have there ok if your driveline is not to steep i have one in my intermediate shaft been there 2 years still good  put one in the rear driveline lasted 3 months 
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: john1974 on June 02, 2011, 12:55:38 PM
Never used them but I have used ujoints from Tom woods custom driveshaft and have had nothing but success.
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: Breeze-O-Top on June 02, 2011, 02:27:18 PM
I may have some of those in my rig. At least they have the grease fitting so you can keep them greased up. And at $14.00 you could keep a spare like I do. A buddy may need one on the trail. You could be a hero. :laugh:
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: Jluck on June 03, 2011, 08:20:00 AM
Never used them but I have used ujoints from Tom woods custom driveshaft and have had nothing but success.
does tom woods make there own?

does rock auto make there own?

both of these could come from the same parts bin.

I got a couple things from rock auto, both name brand and half the price of other places.(for the exact same item)
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: PilotSmith on June 03, 2011, 08:40:48 PM
My drive shaft noise is gone!!!  (Well, at east in 2 wheel drive.)

I found the same u-joints locally and picked up 6 of them yesterday. It was more of a PITA than I expected to swap them out. Actually only 1 was a PITA. I think at some point in time the yoke got pressed and I messed with it over an hour trying to fit the clips in, but I could not get it in far enough to clear the clip groove. So I got a very large socket, placed it in the yoke, and used my press to press the socket into the yoke and spread it apart a couple millimeters. After that I got the clips in with no problem. The others shafts were much easier to press the u-joints out and back in.

I also found one shaft was not properly lined up and off about 1/4 turn so that also may have contributed to the noise and vibration.

So far this past week I've  eliminated the rear axle noise by replacing the rear bearings, and the drive shaft noise by replacing the u-joints and properly lining up the shafts to the index marks.

I think my front axle bearings are also bad. It's quiet in 2 wheel drive but when I put it in 4 wheel drive there is noise coming from the front axles similar the drivesahft noise I just fixed. Arrg! This is like working on plumbing. You start planning to replace something  simple like a leaky washer and pretty soon you are replacing everything connected to the sink. I'd like to replace the front bearings this weekend but locally they want $35 per bearing (4 needed) fior the identical ones I can get online for $15 each. So I may wait until I get some mail order. I don't mind paying a little more locally but I'm not going to pay over 2x the price.
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: wildgoody on June 03, 2011, 08:50:37 PM
That 1/4 turn off is a big deal, and it did make the shaft vibrate.

Wild
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: PilotSmith on June 04, 2011, 03:54:07 PM
Do u know if the u-joints on the drive shaft from the tranny to the transfer case ever go out? Seems like a low strain position. I'm getting lazy and debating if I should just hold onto the 2 u-joints or go ahead and replace those too?

The guy we bought the Sammy from didn't know what he was doing. Everything he touched he messed up. No surprise the shafts were not in synch.  :-\
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: fordguy79 on June 04, 2011, 04:56:31 PM
i had one go out between the tran and t-case  you got them change them
Title: Re: Anyone try the u-joints from Rock Auto?
Post by: lv2fsh on June 05, 2011, 09:54:44 PM
I just keep a spare set of driveshafts with good u-joints on them. Then if I get one going out, I just swap the shaft and change the u-joint when I get time. They all can go out but I don't change them until they do. Why take a chance on screwing up the U-joint installing it. (don't ask how I know)