265,000 on origional universal joints?

[GOOSE]

So my truck spit out the rear d shaft yesterday and I spent 24 hrs with a front wheel drive truck. I picked up a new Percision 331 joint and a 331-10 strap and bolt kit, came home and drilled out the broken bolt in the yolk and proceeded to change out the u joint. I noticed the driveshaft and the broken u joint stamped "Spicer". Is it possible that this was an origional 264,000 universal joint or did the PO just care enought to put really good replacement parts on? This truck spent it's first 16 years as a logging truck for CF Laughlin outside of Portland, Oregon so anything is possible.

If it is origional, it failed prematurely as the yolk has play on the pinion. I am sure this play put added stress on the joint. I've seen 1/2 ton Chebbys crying for u joints at 80,000 miles so 264k seems crazy. Anybody out there with high mileage universals to determine if mine may have been origional?

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, the front one is crying for help Gonna pull that one and go over it when I get the new yolk for the back.

 

[dsltech83]

The factory u-joints on my dads 97 ranger outlasted the engine...375k miles burned valve, original ujoints in both driveshafts. Lube for life spicer joints are good joints they are just very pricy and most people won't spend the money for them if they can buy 2 or 3 aftermarkets for the same price.

 

[gonecrazyi]

Some seem to last a long time. Ive never changed a u joint on mine in 7 years and the previous owner claimed he never changed them when he got the truck from his dad and he drove it for 6 years. Knock on wood the front u joints are the ones that seem to go out. Those and the carrier bearings. It probably has to do with the bad driveshaft angles after I lifted the truck.

Also, Im by no means easy on the ujoints. Between overloaded trailers and spinning 38's in the sand and mud with loaded trailers behind me, they have seem years of abuse.

 

[John Deere]

Very possible, the rear u joints in my 88 made it to 210k before replacing them.

 

[subway]

Contaminants kill bearings far faster than any normal use. A properly lubricated joint or bearing can last a loooong time. So yes I can believe it could be original.

 

[idi_econoline]

BTW, the P/O? of my E-350 somehow managed to install the u-joints the wrong way 'round (fittings point forward and aft!). I've just been unbolting the rear and wrestling the shaft to access the zerks.

Really oughta correct that. Thx for reminding me.

 

[jhnlennon]

Actually they really arent that much more than a parts store "premium" joint, its just that most of the major parts houses dont carry spicer stuff.

 

[Black dawg]

So my truck spit out the rear d shaft yesterday and I spent 24 hrs with a front wheel drive truck. I picked up a new Percision 331 joint and a 331-10 strap and bolt kit, came home and drilled out the broken bolt in the yolk and proceeded to change out the u joint. I noticed the driveshaft and the broken u joint stamped "Spicer". Is it possible that this was an origional 264,000 universal joint or did the PO just care enought to put really good replacement parts on? This truck spent it's first 16 years as a logging truck for CF Laughlin outside of Portland, Oregon so anything is possible.

If it is origional, it failed prematurely as the yolk has play on the pinion. I am sure this play put added stress on the joint. I've seen 1/2 ton Chebbys crying for u joints at 80,000 miles so 264k seems crazy. Anybody out there with high mileage universals to determine if mine may have been origional?

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, the front one is crying for help Gonna pull that one and go over it when I get the new yolk for the back.

the original non greasable joints seem to last forever, I have seen them with 350k. I replaced mine at 265k because we were going on a long trip towing heavy and didnt want to wory about them. After I got them apart I inspected them carefully and there was nothing wrong with them. I am sure they would have outlived the POS aftermarket joints that are in there now.