U Joints and where to buy them

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Dec 21, 2019 | 07:41 PM
  #16  
The rear only has 2 because the shaft is longer and the power fluctuations don't seem to matter much. On big luxury cars, it's not uncommon to find a double carden joint in the transmission end. I've seen and replaced them on the big Cadillac "boats" in the 50s and 60s. The front shaft on jeeps has a slip joint in it's mid section that would wear out quickly with power fluctuations.
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Dec 21, 2019 | 07:47 PM
  #17  
Thanks for the info. I've learnt something new today about UJ's.
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Dec 21, 2019 | 07:58 PM
  #18  
Maybe you can answer a question I've had for a long time. On the older Land Rover Discovery, they had a huge ball-type drive on the front axles that were filled with 90W gear oil. Are those actual CV joints or are they just enclosed u-joints? At Valvoline, one owner wanted them filled with grease, but gear oil came out as I did that. There was a large pipe plug to fill them at.
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Dec 21, 2019 | 08:41 PM
  #19  
Quote: Maybe you can answer a question I've had for a long time. On the older Land Rover Discovery, they had a huge ball-type drive on the front axles that were filled with 90W gear oil. Are those actual CV joints or are they just enclosed u-joints? At Valvoline, one owner wanted them filled with grease, but gear oil came out as I did that. There was a large pipe plug to fill them at.
Not an expert. But I think it is called a swivel joint, and the large ball like structure is actually protecting a CV joint inside (acting like the rubber boot we see on many CV joints). The swivel/ball is connected to the axle housing and to the steering knuckle and allows the steering knuckle to pivot. So it is a different take on what we would know as the "axle C's" on our Jeeps, where 2 ball studs are used to allow the steering knuckle to rotate.
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Dec 21, 2019 | 09:14 PM
  #20  
You mean closed knuckles like were used years ago?

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Dec 22, 2019 | 01:40 AM
  #21  
Yes, it looks like it. That is a disturbing number of shims and gaskets!

https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-LL149...oaAmB_EALw_wcB
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Dec 22, 2019 | 07:21 AM
  #22  
I notice there appears to be no press-fit parts, which would make it field serviceable with only wrenches. I guess that is a plus. And the CV joint is protected inside a sealed system so no cracked rubber boots or debris.

This shows the parts broken out on the swivel joint - pretty elaborate!

https://www.roversnorth.com/category...er_swivel_ball

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Dec 22, 2019 | 02:05 PM
  #23  
I'll stick to UJs and CVs.
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Dec 22, 2019 | 11:03 PM
  #24  
Yeah, well, this guy wanted me to fill them with ball joint grease. Probably because they were worn out and making noise. Oh, well, water under the bridge. We never saw this guy again. I was just curious.
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Dec 23, 2019 | 03:23 AM
  #25  
Quote: Maybe you can answer a question I've had for a long time. On the older Land Rover Discovery, they had a huge ball-type drive on the front axles that were filled with 90W gear oil. Are those actual CV joints or are they just enclosed u-joints? At Valvoline, one owner wanted them filled with grease, but gear oil came out as I did that. There was a large pipe plug to fill them at.
here is something similar, but much older for you

front CV joint for a 1943 Studebaker 6 X 6 Truck, they had a huge amount of grease



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Dec 23, 2019 | 12:08 PM
  #26  
One last quick question, how come the parts catalogue has all the different numbers that I found yet there are only 2 different part number joints needed?
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Dec 23, 2019 | 01:03 PM
  #27  
I've done some numbers and I'll even convert bits to dollars so you can really gasp at some of our prices.

To buy 2 Spicer 5-760X joints and the other 5 in Crown Automotive from Jeepey including an estimated postage, I'm looking at approximately £354.44 - $458.14

To get the same from NorthernDriveTrain all in Spicer with an estimated postage of $13.00 - £135.94 - $175.71 (I have no idea on your postage costs so just converted my UK guess)

To then get the two 5-760X from NDT and the five 5-1310X from RockAuto with an estimated postage of $26 total - £109.09 - $141.01

All I can say is I'm glad my parents are going to Florida, saves me £240
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Jan 23, 2020 | 12:54 PM
  #28  
So update for everyone, my parents got back so I've got my UJ's. I've fitted the 5 for the 2 propshafts and it mostly went well.

BwanaBob, thanks for the info on what ones to order, even if I did order 8 of the 5-1310X's instead of my planned 6 (one spare).

Morat, Before ordering I did put in my UK address and had an option for postage within the same week with I believe import duties pre-paid. It was still at least £150 cheaper than Jeepey and all Spicer brand.

Thanks all
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Jan 24, 2020 | 09:50 AM
  #29  
Quote: Don't waste your money on anything but SPICER. I get them from Amazon typically. I keep a spare of each size on the shelf at the house. The last two SPICERs I've ordered were 14 USD each though "Amazon Warehouse"

I suggest the Spicer Life sealed joints. Others prefer the greasable joints. Really the stock non greasable SPICER joints lasted about 200,000 miles on the rear drive shaft. The front shaft and axle shafts on my XJ still have the original Spicer sealed joints. Why deal with the mess and hassle of greasing u-joints when the sealed units are proven to last for quite a long time.
X2

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