Greasable or non-greasable, that is the question...

The question that needs some good opinions and answers.

I'm going to replace the outer u-joints on my front D30 since the axles are out.
The old ones were Spicer, non greasable and only had the faintest amount of lube remaining in them.
It looks like Spicer makes/made both greasable with the fitting in the cap and non-greasable styles. There are other brands with the zerk fitting in the cross itself.
Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the greasable ones? Will the grease fittings get damaged inside the knuckle there? Being around heavy earth moving equipment my entire adult life I'm all about being able to lube any pivot point.

I'd like to stick with Spicer, not the stuff the FLAPS sells.

 

alan, spicer has a good name and those seem to hold up the best ,I went solid on all the joints (well 'cause you know why, but miss the abillity to greasing them ) I don't want a hole drilled threw a main part, seen alot of drilled ones broken on the trail ,

 

use a flush or needle type zerk
no clearance issues

 

Go non greasable. The original lasted this long so if you buy quality replacements, you'll be good. I put greasbale ones in my Cherokee and didn't grease them frequently enough cause that little needle tip greaser is a PIA. Well, they didn't last long due to my lack of reg maintenance. Recently replaced them with OEM style non greasable.

 

I replaced mine with non-greasable Spicer...I've read in multiple locations that having the grease fitting in the cross makes it a weak spot.

 

Not to hijack this thread but at what point should these U-joints be changed? Is there a way to tell if they need to? Mine have 75K on them.

 

The greasable Spicer U Joints have the grease fitting located in the end cap, not in the cross.

Rich

 

So far we have 3 against greasable and no endorsements for the greasable ones. Strength seems to be the issue on this.

 

like rich said however the Spicer ones that I got have the fitting in the end, just don't see how there could be a strength issue there. Personally I like the fact that I can grease mine.

 

It may be a myth, but I have read that the greasable thru the cap starves the bearings under that cap. Grease goes everywhere else and the seals are not as tight. Also the greasable types have to be rifle drilled to be able for the grease to flow to the caps, hince the strength reduction even if it is slight. If you use the ones with a zerk in the cross, align it so the zerk hole is under compression under heavy loading.

As far as change interval, when it lurches, pops or grinds, you have got all the goodness out of that u-joint. Block the vehicle and unload the driveline, you shouldn't be able to see any wiggle in any of the joints if they are sound.

 

Spicer non greasable here.

 

meh, been using them for years on both my chevys and jeeps with no issues. Maybe I am just lucky I guess

 

all about the grease....

 

I've learned not to believe EVERYTHING I read on forums, and I've personally never heard of, or met anyone who broke a greasable u-joint. I bought the greasable ones, so, I guess I'm in favor of them!

Rich

 

I hear a lot about breaking axle shafts, but maybe not about breaking axle u-joints? Certainly the cap-center grease fitting will be no more vulnerable than the rest of the u-joint, when mounted in an axle. So no disadvantage there...

However, millions of 4WD vehicles have been built and accumulated billions of miles without the advantage of greasable axle u-joints. So, I wonder if it will make that much difference in most applications.

If you did not use greasable joints, would there be any advantage to packing the caps with a superior grease? I presume that Spicer would not cut corners on the factory grease.

 

My original non-greasable in my XJ, lasted 240,000 miles. That has to say something about how long they last without greasing.

 

If I wheeled hard I'd go with non-greasables and accept shorter lifespan. I have greasables but I don't climb either. And if you AREN'T disciplined enough to pick up a grease gun once every few months go non-greasables.

 

alan , go non-greasable, you know you want to follow me on the trail .

 

i've had good luck with greaseable u-joints, and they have the fitting in the cross, not the end cap. my jeep has a short rear d-shaft, so i like being able to grease the u-joints. i'm not sure if a non-greaseable would last as long, since the angle tends to make the joint spit grease. i grease the d-shaft u-joints and all t-r-e's every 4 tanks of gas.

i've only seen one failed d-shaft u-joint. a friend in his "5" lost one of the rear joints while on the highway, at the t-case end. whump, whump, whump, screeeeeeeeeech.

 

I really appreciate all the feedback that you all have given, thanks guys!

You know you're right on that one

I'm going non greasable this go around, but I did pick up a set of each so my spares will be the greasable type. The Spicer greasables seem hard to come by.