U Joint and Carrier Bearing

not familiar with spicer? wow, I'm surprised, they are one of the largest suppliers of joints, they are also a part of the DANA empire. Napa, Autozone, o'riley/car quest all should carry them.

also buy an oem carrier bearing I got a cheap Amazon one for science and the bearing it self is fine but does rub/ squeak and I've adjusted heck, even went as much as to get the rear off the ground and put the truck in drive to see if it would self adjust, never changed and I've paint marker all over trying to make adjustments its getting replaced again shortly.

 

I have thin line of grease splatter above the U joint mid-way underneath my 2015 Tacoma . Is this an indicator of a failing part ? I haven't experienced any squeaking but I have experienced some shudder under braking.

 

not usually, that's generally a sign it was fully greased(maintenance) and threw the excess during driving. Whenever I run grease to parts with zerks, I pump grease until it shows fresh grease pushing out of the seals.

 

Since I can spin it by hand when its parked I gather the front driveshaft isnt even spinning unless in 4wd?
If it isnt spinning do the front u joints last longer and dont require greasing as often?
Would the front U joints be a better candidate for the

$27 spicer 51310X spicer 5-1310X u-joint kit 1310/SPL22 series (OSR)

spicer 51310X non greasablefor this reason?

As for the 3 rear u joint I would for sure use the

$33 513301X Spicer 5-1330-1X U-Joint Kit

513301X ggreasable ones

 

Yes, that’s correct. Until the transfer case actuator engages it, the front shaft is not spinning. The front u-joints should be unlikely to need replacement if you’re only using them occasionally and grease them every so often. Obviously, some people wheel hard and find they do need to be replaced.

 

Thanks for the confirmation. I do grease them at the same time as the rear ones and have always notices they take a lot less grease. And on a yearly basis i probably put on less than 100 miles in 4WD so they are indeed used infrequently.

 

yes. usually takes a small amount to get the fresh color up front on my 09, the backs I know are solid because I can always see a new line of goo slung up under my truck at each joint. on the back. but every oil change or anytime i take it out and beat on it a bit

 

I had a vibration on my 08 Tacoma 4x4 V6. I replaced the carrier bearing and all 3 u-joints using Spicer products but I still have a vibration once I hit 50 MPH. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

Just did my carrier bearing and u joints, take off vibe is back I did have to replace the aft yoke to the rear diff, so a D/S re balance is in order