Replaced driveshaft u-joints on the 82 and did the unthinkable!!!
 

Well, I really had no choice what-so-ever....I had to use u-joints that were made in China:willy::rofl::ack:
Went out to visit the 74 today, :lol: and Chris ended up helping me change out the driveshaft u-joints on the 82.
The 82 does use 2 different sizes of u-joints for the 1/2 shafts and the driveshaft. The driveshaft joints are smaller by all means. Had to make two runs, one to Sears hardware for a 12 pt 1/4" or 7mm 1/4" drive socket for the bolts, as they are smaller than the 1/2 shaft bolts. And 12 pt sockets seem harder to find as single's these days...:toetap:
went to use the Spicers I had and once again they were not the correct size. So off to the closest auto atore, which was Autozone. Their part #'s are incorrect, so we had to match up as best we could from what they had. I remember another thread that mentioned that acertain year Ford truck used the same size (I think) either for the driveshaft or halfshaft.
So we found a DURA-LAST Gold, (made in China, just hope they hold up) that was the correct cap diameter, but 1/32" shorter. Having no other alternatives, that is what we went with, and so far it is working just fine. The old joints had 2 cracked caps and some play, especially the front one, in them.
I am now totally clunk and tap-free, evn when turning....And there is a warranty on theses u-joints. The 62 mile home drive went as smooth as can be.....here are some pics, will post the measurements tomorrow, as I need to get some sleep.................Tom

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4337.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4340.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4342.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4344.jpg

Did they come with any egg rolls or wonton soup?

I have found that my local napa is the place for quality parts, just took him 2 u-joints and said I need half this one and half that, a little measureing then checking a book. and boom he hands me just what I was looking for......no computer need!

:lol: not only did they come with that, which was part of the shrimp lo mein conbination platter, and that included desert.:thumbs:

had no choice but to go with what I did, out in the middle of nowhere, you have to do what you have to do.....:yesnod:
will keep Napa in mind for next time:willy:

Last year I replace the half shaft u joints with the Spicer solids I did find that they are too long to get the snap rings seated. I used a wet grinder to grind .008" off each snap ring to get them seated correctly. This year I am going to do the drive shaft. Which Spicer u joints were you looking at? I believe the cap bolts are torx not 12 point. I have a 1980 4 speed.

It was me with the truck reference. I had some ujoints for the driveshaft of a 2001 4x4 f150 on the shelf. They are the same as the halfshaft joints on the 82. Same Chinese part number. I will admit to using the cheaper joints on my 82 as well. You are not alone in that unpopular decision... :-)

There isn`t any mystery to Vette U-joints, if supplied with the correct information you would never run into a fit problem....all catalogues or even computers has the correct part numbers to make replacing U-joints a simple easy job....Replacement joints are the same as same as OE...UNLESS some back alley hack got there first, however there are combination joints available to help cover the hacks mistakes...unfortunately not many Parts stores carry them as they are slow movers and a bit more costly..that being said most counter men are not familiar with them....we sold many because of a large customer base was the Hacks or more commonly referred to as 'Back Alley' or 'Shade Tree' mechanics

You must not own an 82....the books are WRONG for the 82.

napa part number for the 82 drive shaft is
U-Joint - at Rear Axle//Auto-transmission
Part Number: PUJ 354

Product Line: Precision Ujoints

IMPORTANT INFO: Premium,w/ Automatic Transmission,w/ 1 1/16" O.D. Bearings

:iagree:

I was just looking up the same information with Precision U-joints...The joints are plainly visable for a english speaking person to read the catalogue and its with the computers too....:rofl:

akeyvette, you can look them up yourself...under 'Auto Parts Nerd....Precision is one of the direct lines we purchased as a Auto Parts warehouse...we sold hundreds...

I would feel safer with chinese u-joints than those chinese jackstands...
I do have the same set of Harbor Freight jack stands as you appear to, but I prefer not to be under the car if I'm using them.

GO to AutoZone or oreillys and look up the rear halfshaft joints for an 82. Two different styles both claim to fit but only one does. What's up with the nerd names? This thread doesn't have to go there.... Napa is disappearing around here so I don't get to go there as often.

The driveshafts and half shafts both work at minimal angles. I alway prefer sold cross piece "perma-lube" joints. On several of our 4X4's we use sold cap/cross piece including no needle bearings, only bushings. These are usually 5 times stronger than the best Dana Joint available. To this date we have not broken any of these type joints. Thus saving several custon axle shafts. Oh, I also like full circle clips, they are more likely to stay put under severe conditions. Al

The Napa site also has several differant type joints for the 82. I just knew none were manual, however the Napa data base offer some with manual. Napa is not perfect by any means. The guy behind the counter can be great or absolutly not. It is best to measure and be 100% correct.

A smart, experienced counterman can be your best friend sometimes...............

Your correct, I don't...and wouldn't

and nothing wrong with the books ither

Sick burn dude..... Please go elsewhere to stroke your ego and sling insults at people. This forum is for people trying to help each other.

yesss, now I remember.......:D

I disagree, there is a mystery with the 82 and only the 82 to my knowledge....I can testify first hand....
The first person I ordered ujoints from, has the 82 using the same joint for both 1/2 shaft and driveshaft, which is wrong, at least on my 82.
They were way to big for the 1/2 shafts, and not even close with the driveshaft. So now I have 6 joints, which I am hoping to return, or put up for sale here, we shall see.
All other parts stores also seem to have the wrong info for the 82, why you ask???? :crazy::crazy2: I don't have a clue.......
Reread post #1, and as you can see, the driveshaft bolts, need a 1/4" 12 pt socket, while the 1/2 shaft bolts, use an E10 reverse torx socket, hence the 2 different sizes.
And I was very lucky to get a match as close as could be.....
So it is what it is, we need to solve the mystery.....

good info....thanks.....:thumbs:

I hear you there, but the possibility of all 4 failing at the same time..........:willy: I sure hope not......:D

In this case it was the countergirl, she was great.......


While I do appreciate everyones comment, there is no need to have people get on each other's case (guess I'm dating myself with that phrase) :lol:
We're not trying to see who knows the most, or doesn't know thw most or whatever, just trying to supply info that will be of future help to 82 owners, and to put more info into the "sticky", that's what it is all about..........:yesnod:

the following was posted by me in another thread, this is the correct part# for the 82 1/2 shaft ujoint....
"82 halfshafts u joints are 1 3/16" (cap size) and 3 5/8" (length)
I ended up getting MOOG #231 (made in USA) solids.
Waiting to see what size the driveshaft are after I remove it."

Your what?

It's 'you're' as in you are incorrect. :rofl:

thank you,

you helped refresh my memory.......:D

alswagg,

Not busting chops, just confused:

Am I correct in assuming that the same typo occurred twice, and you mean "solid" cross-piece "perma-lube" joints when you typed "sold"?

Now, I'll show my ignorance:
Can you please explain what is a NON-"solid" cross-piece u-joint? I've never heard of that, and can't imagine anything but a solid one.

Also, I've seen OEM u-joints with no zerk fitting--is that what you mean by "perma-lube?" If so (or if not--LOL) why is that better than having a greaseable one?

And lastly, I never even heard of bushings in u-joints, instead of needle bearings.

So, as you can see, you really "rattled my tree" with your brief post.
I didn't know how much I didn't know about u-joints. :D

Thanks.

Can anyone tell me the proper U Joint sizes for an 80-81 with an automatic.

I have measured what I have:
Drive shaft
1.06" = 1 1/16 cap
3.22" = 3 1/4 width

Half shafts
1.06" = 1 1/16 cap
3.62" = 3 5/8 width

Corvette Central 's parts description say's drive and half shaft are the same (582151). Apparently I have something special? It is rather confusing.

Thing is my VIN points to a 79 L48,but it's sitting on an 80 or 81 frame with a DANA 44 rear end.The case is dated 11 03 79,so I'm guessing 1980.Motor and transmission match the VIN.

My suggestion is to use the same exact size of what you measured. You already know that it fits so just go with them. Use Spicer or Moog (made in USA) and you will be fine.

Another close up of the driveshaft joints remmoved, again some caps were cracked and just plain dried out inside.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4350.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4349.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_4348.jpg

Hello, Tom. Looks like you are progressing well. Most times you can find a rusty dust around the caps when the joints get in this shape. That is the first thing I look for. Keep at it.:thumbs: mike...

Hi Mike, yes I am making progress :yesnod: have not had time to set the rear toe since I last spoke to you. I made notes of what we talked about and along with your posts on the other thread, I will probably be doing this next month when I take the time off to work on the 74. Now that you mention that "you can find a rusty dust around the caps when the joints get in this shape", I did seem to find that when I did the halfshafts, but most of the noise was coming from the joints on the driveshaft. All is quiet now, and it's just one more step on making the 82 as reliable as I possibly can....Talk to you later, probably if I get stuck with something on the 74 next month.....:lol: Tom

I have those same u- joints in my '81. nothing wrong with them and they are lifetime warrantied

Are you referring to the Duralast that I ended up using?
I do know about the lifetime warranty, but I guess my main concern is that you hear and sometimes see that China and other outside sources do not make replacement products as strong as replacement USA products would be and I would not want to have one fail going down the highway. Granted, they may have improved their product quality, I guess only time will tell. So far they are working well.......

That's what I would like to do,but I only see parts descriptions saying what vehicles the joints fit.No measurements.I already ordered u-joints once from Corvette Central,according to description,and got the wrong ones.I'm over seas and the high cost of shipping in our "global economy" is a killer.And then the 19% sales tax and 7% import tax levied at my doorstep makes me wary of spending another 300 bucks or more for wrong parts.

I'm here to say that it's not hear/say about china products.I work quality control for companies buying products from Asia,mostly china,and to 95%
what we find coming out of these countries is copy catted junk.I have even seen quality products, that have been produced for many years in this country, be outsourced to China, and return as inoperable crap.
We always make jokes about the Chinese quality control.There control weeds out the defects, but they box it up and ship it anyway.

There is a company that only sells the u joints by size, I have the link on my home PC and will post later tonight, when I get home. Unless another member knows who I am talking about and posts. I'll either post or send u a PM........Later......Tom

Believe me, I understand what you are talking about. I just read another thread last night where another member bought the same ones from the same auto store that I did, and they failed in just. 2 years. Again I didn't have a choice at the time, so I may still get some USA made joints for the driveshaft, since I know the correct size and change them out again next month and be done with them.

Thing with the greasable joints is...you have to grease them. I shoot a few squirts at them every other oil change on my regular drivers and every oil change on the less frequently driven vehicles. They don't seal up well and do sling out the grease over time. I'm also sure their metallurgy isn't the finest either. I've got about 60k miles of truck use on a few though and they are still tight.

I did some research last night and found out that Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0-L.+5.2-L./ ZJ / ZG 92 - 98 uses the same ones I need for my drive shaft.Now the funny part.I can get em over here for the low low price of 25 euros a pair.About $19.50.They're a German brand,not China-ease.I like the way keeping the word "Corvette" outa the equation keeps things affordable.

Just need to find the others.I'll probably end up calling this company,give em my measurements, and see what they come up with.

Sounds good, if you need the other company back here, let me know.
I imagine German Brand would work out just fine. Price sounds decent.

So I'm curious whats diffrent about the U-Joints on an 82 compared to earlier Vettes ? We know that the 80-81 1/2 shafts uses a Spicer 1330 U-Joints for Auto Cars and and a Clutch 80-81 and all 82's use 1350 U-Joints. So is it the Driveline? With the new 700R4 Trans did they do something diffrent?

:lol:don't ask me as I am just as confused :crazy: as everyone.....
For whatever reasons on both sides of the equation, it has been stated in different places that the 82 uses the same u-joint for the drive & halfshats. That has been proven wrong by other members, including myself. The 82 does in fact use 2 different sizes u-joints. The GM parts book (if I am reading correctly) also shows this. I do not know the actual reason for this, but I assume as you suggested, it has to do with the addition of the 700r4 trans for that year as standard equipment. The driveshaft is shorter than previous years, and maybe they felt the torque and HP did not require a heavier larger joint!!!!
So if you have an 82, there are part #'s and sizes listed in the "sticky". It is better to actually measure the joints you are replacing as a means to double check that you are purchasing the correct ones.......:yesnod:

A side note....I do not know if GM used Spicer joints as original factory parts, as that is what all of my joints were (Spicers), if they did, then these may have been the originals, if they did not, then mine were already changed out once before.........

Another suggestion, if anyone, regardless of year, is planning to change their u-joints during your lifetime, buy them now, that way you will have them, and be sure that they are made in the USA, as we really don't know how long before they will all be made offshore and probably not as strong as what is available to us now.....

Great news.....
 

just spoke to the company that I purchased the replacement Spicer joints from, back in November, and they are going take them back, as their web site has the incorrect joints listed for the 82....:woohoo:

Wonder how we get the parts stores to correct their listings. I told the manager of oreillys about it (I used to work there and know they have a process but that's been over 10 years ago) and he didn't seem very interested in getting it fixed.

ok, doing a little research for the 82, hope this all makes sense....
this info will also be listed in the "sticky"
These measurements are based on my 82 and info from other members concerning the u-joints for the 82 only, although they may fit other years......

Driveshaft 1 1/16" (1.062) cap size......3 5/16" (3.312) length

Halfshaft 1 3/16" (1.188) cap size......3 5/8" (3.625) length

I have checked out different parts stores and some of our vendors, the majority of them have incorrect listings to say the least for the 82. Even a well know driveshaft shop IMO has the cap diamenter for both shafts as the same, which is incorrect. They may be the same for other years, but our 82 is different. As I mentioned before, check the dimensions of your u-joints to make sure you are ordering the correct ones. I know for a fact that the MOOG Solids (USA) # 231 are correct for the halfshafts and most certain that part # 254 are correct for the driveshaft. Hopefully this will save a lot of frustration when changing out the joints.....