Universal Joints

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

I am getting a little shimmy in the rear end of my truck and was wondering if it could be a Universal Joint going bad. No noise yet. I don't think it is a tire balancing issue.

Who makes the best Universal Joints for the Duramax Trucks? Spicer? Moog?

I think I am looking for a U-Joint that I can grease with the zerks fitting.

 

[CtChevy427]

My vote goes to the Spicer joint. I have read the ones with no grease fitting are stronger. My truck has almost 94K on it and so far so good. When replacement is necessary I will be replacing with the Spicer 1410 joint.

Jeff, any change you have snow/ice in a rim causing this?

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Thanks Bill. It feels like it is coming from the center of the rear, like maybe the drive shaft. The U joint is not making any noise, which is usually the tell tale sign of a bad U joint. I don't really think it is ice on the rims, but I will check more when I can.

 

[btfarm]

It's true that the prelubed u-joints are stronger. And yeah, you can never go wrong with Spicer.

 

[trouttrooper]

Does the shimmy change if your coasting, accelerating, engine braking?

Bad u-joint doesn't necessarily make noise. Whatever u-joint you get replace the grease that they come with, it's not good quality. The greaseable ones just have a vasoline type crap just to keep the needles in place.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Thanks for the responses!

 

[cajun4x42006]

Spicer u joint get my vote here, I have them on me K5 they are about 8 yrs old of coarse i don't mud ride like i us to they are strong and durable. Also if your going to change one you may want to consider all of them being they all have the same wear and life.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Good idea Eddie! Thanks. I will do just that.