U-joints?????????

[gptherezonlyone]

Are all three U- joints on the front drive shaft the same part? Can you drive with the front shaft removed? What do you think of Brute Force u-joints from Advance Auto Parts? yah or nah? Do all the u-joints like to stiffen up or vibrate at the same time like headlights needing to be replaced within a week of each other?:banghead:

 

[Eagle]

Yes, all three are the same.

Yes, you can drive without a front driveshaft (if you have a Selec-Trac transfer case, this won't work in the full-time position).

No opinion on the AZ Brute Force units. Price looks good but I don't know anyone who has used them.

 

[woody]

My advice on UJs is do them all at the same time while you have the shaft(s) out.

I have no opinion on Brute Force (tho I have one as a spare that was included with my front axe) but have gotten good service from NAPA 'super strength' USA MADE joints - they tried to hand me a Japanese-made one the other day... :twak: (NAPA #280 for the XJ/MJ driveshafts, #371 for 5-260x, #377 for 5-297x) These are either greasable or non, I like the greasable ones, the needle zerk is in the cap: easy to get to and won't bind/shear off like the standard nipples can in front steering joint duty.

Of course nothing wrong with OEM (Dana/Spicer) joints either... but I can't find them locally and refuse to do the $tealership route.

If you go with non-greasables, pack the cross & caps with extra grease. Test fit the caps to make sure they won't 'hydro lock' or blow the seals out from too much tho (pack, install 3/4 caps, wipe off what squirts out, if any, then do the 4th cap)

 

[asatxj]

I used Brute Force UJ's on my 'Yota and they seemed to do the job. They didn't seem to be any better or worse than anything else. As long as you aren't delivering them too much abuse they should serve you well.
my .02 fwiw