U-Joint Opinions...And Why

Just curious...do you folks like the u-joints with the zerk fitting on the cap or on the body? I haven't had to change one yet and I was curious if one way had an advantage over the other. My '04 doesn't see much stressful driving, so I was even considering the greaseless ones with no fitting at all.

I've used heavy duty ("heavy duty") ones that were greased and sealed when manufactured, and I've used standard duty replacements with zerk fittings for greasing.

I haven't seen a difference one way or the other. The ones sold as heavy duty, however, were indeed heavier, beefier, thicker and more reinforced. So there's that, if you're prone to literally breaking them into pieces.

If it's just normal wear after 12 or so years... I'd just get whatever. If it's greasable, ok... cool.. just don't forget to lube it every once in a while. If not, ok too, it's designed that way, much like the OE parts, which in my experience usually last a good decade or better.

I get the HD non greaseable ones. My factory ones lasted about 10 years, so I didn't see the need to get ones that needed maintenance.

Get the Spicer/ Dana u joints.

Had the precision (Moog) super strenght ones with screw in the cap you needed a needle fitting to flush. Didn't do a great job.

Have the spicers with the fitting in the body. Pain in the ass to get the right orientation to fit the zerk but flushes the grease out great once you get it.

I use the heavy duty Spicer greasable joints, I see no reason not to use a greasable one unless you have no intention of ever greasing them. The joints with the fitting in the cap is nice for front u-joint applications where the body isn't accessible (not applicable to ours anyway). The joints I installed on my rear driveshaft have the zerk fitting on the body, can get to it with the grease gun no problem.

I used Moog greasable u-joints on the Titan. Must have a needle fitting as stated above. Just remember to situate the zerk at the biggest opening to make greasing easier. Don't ask how I know this... lol

Strength wise the ungeaseable ones are better
But I'm old school and like to grease things every now and again
So I always get the greaseable with the zerk in the body, dislike the ones in the cap

Cardhu said:

Had the precision (Moog) super strenght ones with screw in the cap you needed a needle fitting to flush. Didn't do a great job.

Have the spicers with the fitting in the body. Pain in the ass to get the right orientation to fit the zerk but flushes the grease out great once you get it.

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It may help... but they make a grease fitting for your grease gun that clicks onto the zerk fitting on the side, instead of needing to be pushed on straight. Good for close quarters and tight fits.

Here it is, 90 degree grease coupler:

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Lubrication-5883-Slotted-Coupler/dp/B000G76OMA

That one's a bit more $ than I recall them being, but you get the idea.

tommudd said:

Strength wise the ungeaseable ones are better
But I'm old school and like to grease things every now and again
So I always get the greaseable with the zerk in the body, dislike the ones in the cap

Click to expand...

I always enjoyed greasing up my old Sierra HD. It had like 14 grease points on her. Plus you get the chance to inspect things all around.