u-joint source

I want to put new u-joints in my '66 'lark but am having trouble finding them. I have a bop 8.2 10 bolt and a th-400 so I would think any GS up to '70 would be the same. I also want heavy duty like Spicer brute force non-greasable but Advance, Autozone, even Summit shows not available for buick.

Does anyone have a source and/or part numbers? Please?

 

Mike,I can't really answer your question but I'm interested on a good source myself.I know that a lot of NAPA stores around VA,NC and SC carry some good u-joints for the street rodders and racers,I believe that they can get or carry the Spicer line also.I've been meaning to research this topic myself for some time so I'm hoping for some replies to this thread.:TU:

 

You can get the Spicer u-joints at Driveshaft Specialist inc. in Texas. There web site is www.driveshaftspecialist.com telephone # is 210-342-6626, 866-455-6622 The price of these are I think 100.00 front and rear both together. They are worth the money. Lifetime guarantee, the center section of the u-joint is as wide as the outer bearing itself. It is massive. You wont break these.

I had to buy a driveshaft because the rear universal broke, right at that grease fitting. Then the shaft got caught and tore the shaft in half. So I got a new driveshaft and bought the Spicer XL u-joints. this cost me about 300 bucks for everything and I just pulled it out of the box and bolted this right in.

So if you are running under 12 sec you may want check out these u joints. I got my new shaft in about 1 week so the wait is not very long. I had upgraded to a 200r4 at the same time so I custom ordered the driveshaft. So check them out.

 

Driveshaft Specialist inc. in Texas - GREAT folks to deal with.

I got my driveshaft from them, and was extremely happy.

 

Mike, I usually start my part searches by going to the manufactures web page. Dana/Spicer has an online catalog here:
http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/dek350.aspx
U-joints for 66-70 GS's (and others) are pn 3147x
Putting that pn into Google reveals a number of sources.
And putting that pn into eBay gives this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Spic...hZ019QQitemZ7953091579QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

$11.59 each plus about $7 for shipping.:TU:
These are heavy-duty u-joints, but do have the grease fitting.
From the Google search, it sounds like alot of the 4x4 guys have had good luck with them.

 

Thanks guys. I guess I need to get used to the fact that I need to order stuff off the net. I just keep thinking I can get this stuff locally. You know, order it at the auto parts store or speedshop and pick it up the next day.

Thanks for all your help!

 

Sure, you can buy locally!
I have a NAPA nearby where I purchase items, but everything else is at least a 30 minute drive away. That's a hassle when they usually don't have it in stock anyway....and have to order it.
I had a hard time finding a store that carried Spicer u-joints hence the web purchase. If there's a truck or drivetrain supply near you, they can get for you.
I still like to use the net to look up part numbers and compare prices before I buy.
Most of all, I kinda like coming home from work and finding a package of car parts on my doorstep:grin:

 

Spicer 5-3147X or the non-greasable solid cross 5-795X are good u-joints. Also NEAPCO 2-3011 and the non-greasable 2-3011 BF (brute force) are just as good but mostly their only available through driveline rebuilder shops. Try to stay away from the NAPA "precision" u-joint in the yellow and blue box as well as PDQ and off shore joints from the "cheaper" part stores as the tolerances aren't as close. They're sloppy before and after installed and fail rather quickly. GM dealerships still carry the factory "lubed for life" non-greasable 3R series u-joint which utilizes the inside clips. The guys behind the counter just don't know it because their computer won't list that far back. You have to ask by another newer application as GM used the 3R series joint for many years just in different vehicles.

 

I ended up going with the Neapco 23011BF. 15.00 at my local Advance auto and they had them on the shelf. Look them up on the Advance web site and click "what this part fits". They were used on everything from our classic a-bodies to SUVs, Impala SSs, Dodge pick-ups, you name it. Its strange that when you do a search for u-joints for our cars it come up as not available. You gotta have a part number.

Whats even funnier is after I got these I went down to Summit and the Neapcos looked excactly like the Lakewood u-joints they had for 48.00 each.uzzled:

Once I get the 12 bolt in and will be abusing the drivetrain more I 'll have a new driveshaft built with the Spicer u-joints but for now these Neapcos should outlast my 10 bolt.

Thanks again everyone.:TU: