driveshaft u joints?

[06boblee]

It seems that no parts store around me has any 305 u joints- they can order them but can't tell me country of origin. I want US made u joints. Anyone have a list of good quality joints?

Also, are all 4 u joints the same? The parts book seems to list different #s.

[just me]

Front and rear driveshaft joints are same. Intermediate shaft joints are larger and much more expensive. ( It was cheaper to buy a new shaft than to buy replacement joints by a couple bucks. With the benefit of new slip joints and less labor)
I bought a carton of the driveshaft joints when I found them old stock. Nice US production parts.

[jim lee]

I just went through this with my WC53. In fact, still messing with them today. Try Midwest Military, Try VPW. From what I've learned, it seems that unless you can find NOS, you are out of luck getting anything made in the US. The driveshaft people said that for the offshore ones, make sure that you pay close attention to keeping them well lubed up, then you should be ok. The offshore ones can't take abuse like the old US ones could.

I don't remember if the M37 U-joints have the U shaped clamps with bolts, nuts & locks holding them in like the 3/4 Ton WCs do. If so, I replaced the nuts & locks with these : McMaster-Carr # 94945A215. They are thin steel Nylocks. Way easier to deal with than the stock nuts & lock tabs. I'm trying them now.

-jim lee

[ez8]

Unfortunately, small parts like this are not made in the US anymore. The automotive supply chain doesn't work like that these days. Depending on how you feel about NAFTA you may have to settle for something "Made in North America" (Mexico).

If you do find something made in the US, let us know!

[06boblee]

My concern with NOS is ,well, they are 50 years old- have they dried up, will you have to completely disassemble them and clean them (not losing any needle bearings) to make them good again?

[06boblee]

I found a Dana/Spicer 5-3251X. It is $38 on Rockauto.com. Still don't know if it is US.

[06boblee]

Got the Spicers: Says "Country of Origin- United States!"

[m-37Bruce]

I got a couple from AB Linn a while back, but the Spicer/Dana from Rock Auto seem to say it all, made in the USA.

[Kaegi]

My concern with NOS is ,well, they are 50 years old- have they dried up, will you have to completely disassemble them and clean them (not losing any needle bearings) to make them good again?

not with the ujoints usually. they are covered in cosmoline and are like brand new underneath

[just me]

I grease them whether new stock or new old stock. I've had no troubles with NOS units having caked grease. There is only enough to hold them together from the factory and it flushes right out.