Looking for part recommendations

First post!
I am replacing my U-joints and carrier bearing on my 2006 taco and was looking for recommendations on parts and maybe some explanations of my options. From exploring this community it seems like spicer parts are the way to go for the drivetrain but I'm struggling to sift through all the different options online. I'm not much of a mechanic but i can manage so any tips on doing this repair are welcome!

 

I really like K-Flo's Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF9--WmZOYo

I'm about to do mine this summer as well. I found other video's too but I like his vid's best. He's done about everything to his rig. Good Luck.

 

Welcome

The first post here has the Spicer numbers. It’s an old thread so I don’t know if anything’s been updated. Should give you a decent start though..
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rebuilt-driveshaft-doesnt-need-to-be.323396/

 

Stick with Spicer parts, especially the center bearing. My first two replacements were dirt cheap china-made center bearings in the 30-40 dollar range and they each went out in about a year. It was the cheap rubber in both units that deteriorated quickly. Spicer makes two versions - a 4x4 and a non-4x4 version; they are interchangeable. I have a 4X4 but got the non-4X4 part, cause, at the time, Amazon was out of it. The two main differences are dust seals and price. #5002334 is the one I got. I think the other one ends in -007. That was over two years ago and the carrier bearing is doing fine.

 

Stick with OEM or spicer, maybe replace the carrier bearing along with the u-joints.

 

Thanks! How bout the ujoints? Do you know the spicer part number for those or how to figure it out?

 

Are they these....

DANA 513101X Spicer Life Series (SPL); Greasable Info

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...0l+v6,1432865,drivetrain,universal+joint,2392

I was thinking about getting these for my truck, I'd love to hear about anyone's experience with these.

 

Based on the part numbers in the thread PzTank linked I found this on Amazon

Spicer 5-1330X U-Joint Kit 1330/SPL25 Series (OSR)

$28 Spicer 5-1330X U-Joint Kit 1330/SPL25 Series (OSR)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOI9GFK

 

K-Flo is a G

 

I went with the non-greasable version -

$28 Spicer 5-1330X U-Joint Kit 1330/SPL25 Series (OSR)

Spicer 5-1330X. They have about 90K and still going strong. I tend to get non-greaseables of anything if I can get it. I installed non-greasable ball joints and tie rods. I am too lazy to routinely put grease in them. If you get good quality parts, they should last as long as the greaseable versions.

 

Just want to verify that i need to order 3 ujoints right? The truck is stored at my parents house right now so I cant get under it to check at the moment.

 

Yes,
Front, at transfer case
Center, at carrier bearing. This one gets removed every time the center bearing gets replaced.
Rear, at diff.

 

3 is Correct. I prefer the greaseable Spicer joints as it makes me get under the truck and look around every oil change for a visual inspection while greasing.

Only the regular cab trucks had a single piece driveshaft warranting only 2 u joints.

 

One thing i noticed is that K-Flo's just put u joints in without checking the axial play which can be quite important to ensure balance and longevity. And before I watched this I would have just installed the u joint with the provided snap rings and thought that was it also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10BhHuwnQ7I

This is just one of 7 video's on all aspects of proper u joint removal, inspection and installation. Long but very good and informative.

For those that would rather read than watch all the vids. Same author as vids


https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/...-way-to-troubleshoot-service-universal-joints


Was hard to find but this is a listing of all the available spicer snap ring sizes /colors

https://www.powertrainindustries.com/catalogs_small_parts.htm?type=Snap+Rings

 

Spicer or Sankei 555?