U-Joint Study - Greaseable vs Non Greaseable

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I know the greasable one is from Oriely and was brand new when it broke. i'm not sure if i still have the none greasable one but if i do it is a stock unit that came with my truck.

If it was the cheap O'Reillys then its a MasterPro. If it was the expensive one its a Precision. But there is only about $4-$6 difference in the good one and the cheap one.
 

78shortandwide

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Posts
448
Reaction score
19
Location
Denver
First Name
Tom
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3
This is A Master Pro U-Joint from O'reilly Auto Parts. part # 371. It is a non Greasable chrome-nickel alloy. $8.99 Each.
It broke on the first trip out. Wont be buying these again.

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • ujoint1.jpg
    ujoint1.jpg
    93.7 KB · Views: 239
  • ujoint2.jpg
    ujoint2.jpg
    94.6 KB · Views: 220
  • ujoint3.jpg
    ujoint3.jpg
    93.9 KB · Views: 245
  • ujoint4.jpg
    ujoint4.jpg
    95.5 KB · Views: 218
Last edited by a moderator:

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Awesome cutout views and good info. Not good at all. Although it appears to be of some decent quality, obviously made of some inferior metal. Made in China maybe???

Sadly, I just bought one of those MasterPros at O'reilly's cuz they were out of the Precision. Its the one in the rear driveshaft to the rear end yoke. They did have the Precision for the front shaft to the front axle yoke and I got that one. So I can expect the MasterPro to take a :poop: in short order. I think I'll just change it out sooner than later when I get cash, and also change the one on the rear driveshaft to the slip yoke into the Tcase and I'll use both Precision from RockAuto.
 

78shortandwide

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Posts
448
Reaction score
19
Location
Denver
First Name
Tom
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3
This one was in the drivers side front axle shaft. It broke when i jumped up a hill in reverse. When i put the lift on i had both the drive lines rebuilt and a drive line shop. They got spicers in them and i have had no issues with them yet.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
This one was in the drivers side front axle shaft. It broke when i jumped up a hill in reverse. When i put the lift on i had both the drive lines rebuilt and a drive line shop. They got spicers in them and i have had no issues with them yet.

Hopefully you won't have issues with the Spicers. They are supposed to be the best, and Precision is apparently right behind them as far as quality. :shrug:
 

85K10

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Posts
196
Reaction score
7
Location
Florida
First Name
James
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.0
Spicer U Joints

Hey guys does anyone know what part number is needed for the spicer u joints (Front Axles)? I have found couple places online to buy but not sure what I need (part number). Thanks for the help.
 
Last edited:

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Hey guys does anyone know what part number is needed for the spicer u joints? I have found couple places online to buy but not sure what I need (part number). Thanks for the help.

Which ones do you need? You should have 3 U-Joints in the front driveshaft, 2 in the rear driveshaft, and 2 at your axle hubs. Then it can also matter at which end of the driveshaft too, whether it be at the axle end or the Yoke end of the driveshaft. Then you should also have a Ball seal kit in your front CV of the front shaft at the T-Case that is often overlooked. And of course then there is the choice of Greasable or Non-Greasable U-Joints.
 

85K10

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Posts
196
Reaction score
7
Location
Florida
First Name
James
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.0
Spicer

Looking for the ones at the front axle. The ones at the hub i'm thinking. And from reading on here I guess will go with the non greasable. Guess they are stronger.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
We can start here with Precision Part # 371 is the Rock Auto for the Non Greaseable U-joints at the wheels @ $14.66 each. Now be looking for a Spicer crossover #.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73

crazy4offroad

Equal Opportunity Destroyer
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
8,479
Reaction score
1,109
Location
West BY-GOD Virginia
First Name
Curt
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K-10
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
I was thinking that was the one.

Seems to be the very common one for all square years. I wouldn't mind buying 3, 2 to replace mine and a spare to keep on hand incase of a break.

Usually what happens is the internal snapring shoots off, the cap backs out a little (or comes all the way off) and the stub breaks/junks the axleshaft. If you're on the trail it would be beneficial to carry 1 stub shaft, 1 short inner and 1 long inner shaft, and maybe 2 u-joints. Did you notice the axle joint for the Corporate 10 bolt is the same as the Dana 44? So in my opinion "upgrading" from the Corp 10 bolt to the D44 aint much of an upgrade.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Usually what happens is the internal snapring shoots off, the cap backs out a little (or comes all the way off) and the stub breaks/junks the axleshaft. If you're on the trail it would be beneficial to carry 1 stub shaft, 1 short inner and 1 long inner shaft, and maybe 2 u-joints. Did you notice the axle joint for the Corporate 10 bolt is the same as the Dana 44? So in my opinion "upgrading" from the Corp 10 bolt to the D44 aint much of an upgrade.

I was aware, the D44 and 10bolt and pretty much lateral units. One is stronger in 1 area, and the other is stronger in another, otherwise pretty much the same and many parts interchange as far as hubs, drums etc. And everyone is giving away 10bolts for cheap, so If I see them for cheap, I'll scoop up a spare or 2 anticipating the break. It wasn't long ago, I seen on CL for $50. No hubs or rotors, but complete otherwise. I'd have gotten more serious about it if it were a 3.73, but it was a 3.42 and I want to keep my 3.73's in mine. Shoulda got it anyway for axle shafts alone.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,173
Posts
950,859
Members
36,288
Latest member
brentjo
Top