Importance Of Painting

Today I was glad I had painted the axle U joints on my D30 in Ted. I noticed a few days ago that the driver's side axle U joint was a shade of brown resembling rust. After taking the axle apart, I was glad I did. This could have been bad on the trail! I had rebuilt this axle maybe 5 years ago, so I would have never thought about a U joint going bad.

 

Really? I've replaced many u-joints. Do you grease them often?

 

No zerc in that Nate?

 

I meant that in 5 years, I never thought a U joint would go bad in something that isn't used everyday.

No grease fittings on the axle shaft U joints. The driveshafts do.

 

Yea. That seems a bit odd. The non-serviceable or non greasable ones on the front of a modern Dana 30 usually last a lot longer than 5 years and thats daily driving. Was it a name brand part of a cheapo?

 

Might consider these u-joints: QU90007 Greaseable Front Axle U-Joint for Dana 30, Dana 44, GM 10 Bolt

 

I would have used moog or spicer on my jeep. I don't buy duralast junk.

 

I suspected as much, Nate. But sometimes, in a pinch, we have to use inferior parts to get going again.

I'm with ya Glenn. Maybe the rubber seal was bad or went missing somehow.

I'm not crazy about Moog parts anymore. The unit bearings I put on wife's Cherokee were Moog.......because no one close on Sunday afternoon had any Timkens left..................and I one of them doesn't feel right. I don't hear anything from it but above 45-50 it just feels funky.

Edit: Let me rephrase line 2.........instead of making any type of assumption.......Nate, was the rubber seal still there and in good condition?

 

No I had rebuilt it like 5 years ago.

 

Alot of sealed wheel bearings iv seen dont come with but a smear of grease in them. You really need to pick out a seal and pack them if you want them to last.

 

I was there and seemed to be fine but I'll look at it again.

 

I always pack new joints before putting them in. Learned that from a driveline guy 40 years ago. He said “Don’t trust anybody”.