I've been noticing a rumble over 60mph for the past year. Had it checked out, nobody could find any issues, so I figured it was my hyper-sensitive Vanagon Syncro (they had endless driveshaft vibes) sense kicking in. So I ignored it.
Recently I lubed the Ujoints and noticed the telltale signs of a spinning bearing cap. I pulled the driveshaft and there was a very slight lack of smoothness in the front joint. I called Tom Woods in Ogden, UT, figuring I'd send mine to them for a rebuild. Turned out to cost only a little more green for a new one. So for $440 I got a totally new shaft and an extra ujoint. Vibration is gone...
As is my nature, I tried to spend much more asking them about heavy duty, chome moly or billet ujoints. Turns out we have the biggest ujoints they have--1410 Spicers, and Woods doesn't do anything but steel.
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2003 Ford E-350SD 4x4
V10 / 4R100 / NV271
Front Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/King Pin/Open Knuckle/High Steer
Rear Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/Full Floating
Eaton E-Lockers Front And Rear/4:10 Gears
ARB Differential Covers - Nodular Iron With Dipstick And Drain Plug
Leaf Spring Suspension Front And Rear
46 Gal Transfer-Flow Fuel Tank
ExtremeAire Magnum Air Compressor
Reunel Rear Bumper
On And On ...
Which way did you go concerning zirks? I wanted to go with a greaseable rear U-Joint but the Shop I used in this area Valley Engine Balancing said the sealed type are stronger. I asked about water and they said most of the rock crawlers have gone to greaseless as well. I figure if I made 80K, I'd just stick with the same.
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2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Some say that the sealed ones are the best and you should disassemble, inspect, and grease them at service time. The ones with zerks can crack from the threaded hole around, finally breaking one leg of the joint off.
Personally, I have seen several broken ones at the shop but I have never broken one or had someone I was traveling with break one.
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2003 Ford E-350SD 4x4
V10 / 4R100 / NV271
Front Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/King Pin/Open Knuckle/High Steer
Rear Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/Full Floating
Eaton E-Lockers Front And Rear/4:10 Gears
ARB Differential Covers - Nodular Iron With Dipstick And Drain Plug
Leaf Spring Suspension Front And Rear
46 Gal Transfer-Flow Fuel Tank
ExtremeAire Magnum Air Compressor
Reunel Rear Bumper
On And On ...
I know that most of the time when threaded ones break its because they were installed in the wrong rotational direction.They have to be on the rotation that tries to push the hole closed not pull the hole open, in time that causes cracking that lead to broken joints. And they should always be with the Zerk towards the shaft side, not the Yoke side. The problem with anything grease able is that yo have to grease it regularly, and sometimes a U Joint is hard to grease. A grease able anything (u joint, ball joint, tie rod) will wear out faster without grease than a non grease able part will.
...Jamie
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2008 Ford E-350 V-10 EB
Transformer Interior
U-Joint Off Road 4x4 kit in the garage
2004 F-350 Dana 60