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non replaceable U-Joints?


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Both of the ones on the longest driveshaft section. One end of it bolts to the small prop shaft that comes out of the tranny, and the other end bolts to the rear diff. Both u-joints are staked in, but can be machined out and replaced with new ones.

 

It cost me about CAD$120 to get a driveline shop to do it for me, including the new u-joints. Some people have done it themselves for about 1/2 of that cost, and others have said that they just go to a wrecker and find a low-mileage replacement for even less.

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Well probably because a weld is more reliable than a bolt, and it was probably cheaper to build.

 

How long did the original ones last, 150k miles or more....?

Is that really so bad?

 

You can get a used driveshaft with decent joints out of a low mileage car pretty cheap usually.

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Jerry (bratsarus1) had a one piece drive shaft made for my Brat to replace the two-piece one installed after the 5 speed conversion. It even came with zirk fittings :burnout: Works just fine for me. Shop is somewhere in Yakima, WA.

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Mine are llike, staked in, they COULD be removed, question is, is can you get replacement joints, and it looks like you could only re-stake it like 2 or 3 times before you'd run out of places to stake, although a staked ring is cheaper than a groove and a spring clip.

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There is a soft metal ring around the U joint, and it is "Staked" in several places, basically you take a chisel and a hammer and you smack it, adn it drives some of the metal inward, holding the joint in place. To get it apart, you have to grind or break off the tangs.

 

As for 150k, yeah if you drive it on the pavement a lot, but what about those of use who use our rigs for off-road, those joints could only last a few thousand miles if you get water or muid in there, which is why it would be nice if they at least had zerk fittings, so grease could be added.

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The replacement u-joints on my rebuilt driveshaft have grease fittings and spring clips, but the clips are just on the inside of the joint, instead of the outside. That way, it doesn't matter how hard I drive it. If a u-joint piles up, I just pop it out, and $20 and 20min later, I can have a new one in.

 

If I get a chance, I'll take some photos of how it's been put together.

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  • 6 years later...
The replacement u-joints on my rebuilt driveshaft have grease fittings and spring clips, but the clips are just on the inside of the joint, instead of the outside. That way, it doesn't matter how hard I drive it. If a u-joint piles up, I just pop it out, and $20 and 20min later, I can have a new one in.

 

If I get a chance, I'll take some photos of how it's been put together.

 

Pics of what you did to your driveshaft would be great if you get time!

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i posted pictures of their install directions on here or subaruxt.com years ago, i guess they're still around? it wasn't quite as simple as i thought it would be. it's not very precise installing them, getting it all to fit right and all. but doable.

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Just to add a note, I got a driveline from drivelines nw and they reused my brats driveline ends, put in new joints and fitted it with zerk fittings. I installed a 5spd. Handed it back to me at the end of the day, only problem....the paint was still wet.

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His last post here was almost a year ago, and this thread was started in 03.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, pics probably wont be forthcoming.

 

Thanks, I actually hadn't noticed the post date. I'll check out the Rockford joints.

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So, you mean the two piece drivelines, I guess? :cool:

 

Yeah they proly are. Cause I know mine came with replaceable joints (held in with C-clips) that have grease fittings. (and I have also replaced them due to neglecting to grease them regularly.... :rolleyes: )

 

I'm glad the 2-piece I have sitting in the garage to go with my 5-speed has nice smooth joints in it.

 

I know guys that replace their own "non replaceable" ones. A bit more of a pain but it can be done.

 

HA! I just noticed how old this is as well. So much for skimming........

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  • 3 months later...

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