U-joints

[Colin]

Is it common for a lot of U-joints in my drive line to be failing around 70,000 miles???

I just lost the third one in about three months last night....

[Rick]

the same 3rd one?

[jaymoto]

If they are non greasable then maybe its that time for all to be replaced and upgrated. all of mine are greasable and orignal with 140k on them.

[otisdog]

Do you have a cv shaft in your Rubicon? You have a 5.5" lift? CV shaft really needed and your driveline angle has to be like the pic.
Jim

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/otisdog4/cv_angle.gif

[Colin]

Rick-It hasn't been the same one yet...

Jay- It was non-greasble

Jim- It was my front drive shaft, which is a CV and appears to be at the correct angle, my rear other the other have is a CV with a pretty steep angle...

[Rick]

It was non-greasbleif it were me I would swap all with new.Some argue greasables are weaker but I prefer Greasables. There is a big write up in Fourwheeler magazine on u joints, I believe it was April or May edition

[Popsgarage]

Check with Bill @ Bills Englewood Driveshafts. His handle is tonkatoy. Great guy. It could be that you're over extending the u-joints range of motion if you can flex it like you're doing in your avatar pic. That front u-joint doesn't like to be worked to terribly much, especially if it's a factory size. 1310 I believe.

[The StRanger]

Check with Bill @ Bills Englewood Driveshafts. His handle is tonkatoy. Great guy. It could be that you're over extending the u-joints range of motion if you can flex it like you're doing in your avatar pic. That front u-joint doesn't like to be worked to terribly much, especially if it's a factory size. 1310 I believe.

Yup. X2 on Bills
Most U joint last 100 K under " normal " use
You start flexin and Twistin , Youll be lucky to get 60 to 75 K

[gm4x4lover]

I dont care for the greaseables, they are weaker, they let water in, and the zerks go bad. Use only high quality u-joints and check the straps often.

[tonkatoy]

One, of the main problems with the Jeeps driveline setup is that the front drive shaft spins all the time whether in 2wd or 4wd. With the increased angle from the lift kit, the u-joint develops more heat decreasing the life of it. U-joints normally have a span of 65,000-150,000 miles and it varies on the application and grease schedule. If the u-joint keeps failing then there may be other problems with the shaft, everything from rotating caps, to the centering device in the cv ( we prefer to build the centering device greaseable), to the length and or the yokes not being high angled. I personally prefer the durablity of the Spicer non-greaseable forged u-joints. Bring your driveshaft down and I would be happy to help you out. I have many options from mild to wild.

[CS79bronco]

There's an article in the June issue of Petersen's 4wheel & Offroad on U-joints. It has some pics & gives measurements & specs on different size U-joints. They also have a pic of the Rzeppa joint used on JK Wranglers that are non-serviceable.

[Popsgarage]

I'll be coming to chat with you in a week or so, Bill! The wifey's S-10 has a Dana 30 underneath it now and I'm gonna need a shaft modded or built soon!