Greaseable or Non-Greaseable U-Joints?

Since latest spring change my driveline is a mess. Squeaks in reverse, squeaks in forward, but not as bad, and have a vibration at 25-50. My take off shudder disappeared with 2 deg shims and carrier drop, but I clearly have other issues.

About to replace the Carrier bearing, and might as well do the u-joints. Spicer makes greaseable and non-greaseable options.

What are the pros and cons?

 

Pro: Greasable

Con: User forgets to add grease

 

Lol, right about that..

 

Greaseable.

Just did mine this morning , Oil change and filter and greased the U Joints

TOMB

 

before U disassemble the drive line

be certain to mark EACH component ................

diff colored spray paint..........just a dot on every thing in that plane maybe red

180 degrees use blue..................& just to be careful white

putting every thing in the same order will help keep everything in ‘ phase '

the assembly will be ‘ balanced ‘ !!

& thats EVERYTHING from front universal mount to pinion

 

I appreciate it. I am aware of the phasing. the 3rd and transfer case do not technically need to be marked, just the slip yoke and u-joints from what I understand. I went ahead and ordered the greaseable the other day. What got me thinking about this is I was talking to my local driveline shop as I am getting crushed for time and may have them do it. They recommended non-greaseable, which I thought was interesting. But from what he was saying, its because a lot of people will never grease them. They said the tolerances are a little different, and if left un-greased, a greaseable will wear out faster than un-greaseable u-joint. I already grease my UCAs every oil change, so its no big deal to crawl under and grease them too..

 

Sounds like a reasonable shop, less liability on them. They are correct most people would never grease their shafts, especially if they aren't installing it themselves or are taking their truck to a shop for oil changes and what not.

 

If it goes to a quick change oil change, I'll bet they don't know there are such things as zerks.

 

Greaseable.

I grease 5 zerks every oil change.

Months or by miles.

TOMB

 

The non greasable ones are stronger due to the cross not having holes drilled in it. By how much, probably not very but if you’ll be taking your truck in any hard trails consider the strength factor. Also if wheeling the zerks can get snapped off if you rub your shaft on a hard object.

 

I have 160,000 miles on the non greasable joints on my Nissan. That seems good to me.

I would go greasable if I were getting them wet or muddy regularly. Otherwise it just seems like extra mess.

 

If it’s all the same, I would consider the u joint with the zerk fittings in line with the trunnion. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s a pain in the dick trying to get a grease fitting in (journal cross?) area type u joints.

I like greaseable on the front drive shaft. When the 4x4 system isn’t being used for a few months, then it cost nothing to purge old grease and get new grease in the needle bearings. On a rear prop, id be less concerned either way.