I found an 89 GTA with an L98 and the WS6 suspension package in the junkyard yesterday. Took home the 36mm and 24 mm swaybars(verified with a dial caliper), one glass T top in mint condition, and an aluminum driveshaft. Got the swaybars with polyurethane end links already installed for $6 a piece, and the driveshaft for $16. Needless to say, I went home with a big fat smile on my face.

Anyways, the car was originally from Washington, and has extensive body rust underneath. The rear U joint was rusted onto the yoke and I had to pry it away hard to get it to separate. When it did, I took a close look at the U joint, and it was really screwed up. The thing was pretty dam rusty, one cap came off, and the needle bearings didn't look too good either.

Which brings me to a few questions... Is there any reason why I shouldn't be able to replace the U joint myself? I've never done that before. It looks like you just undo a C clip on the side, and the u joint comes out. Does that sound correct?

Is there any difference between brands? Any to look for, or to avoid?

Autozone carries Brute Force, and another brand called PDQ(I think thats it), both similarly priced around $15 roughly.

 

Uggghhhh...I posted in the wrong board. Moderator, could you please move this to the Transmission/Drivetrain board?

 

you will need the dana/spicer u-joint

 

What makes the dana/spicer u joint better? Who carries it?

 

The difference between the Brute Force joint you mentioned and most others is the fact that the Brute Force joint is a solid core joint.. This means you can't grease it the way you would a normal u-joint.. It does have a synthetic grease though that should last a very very long time if not disturbed.

 

The non greasable u-joints are supposed to be better unless you are willing to grease yours all of the time.

I would also recomend the spicer joint..I have been lectured recently by a local driveshaft shop that there is a definatly a difference.

I put a greasable joint on my LS1 shaft from autozone, and it is working fine...but when I snapped a u-joint on my truck and needed a whole new shaft they put the spicer joints on it... they are not greasable.

 

Aside from the greasable/nongreasable issue, are there any other significant differences?

 

The spicer joints on my truck have c-clips on the outside. My u-joints on my bird have the c-clips on the inside.

The spicers just look beefier. I've always used the cheaper ones and had great luck, but I'll probably go to the spicers when I need new u-joints on my bird.

 

spicer solid joints are awesome, have them on my car. guaranteed for life, and stronger then anything else

 

Whos sells the spicer U-joints......

 

I found that Napa carries an "HD" Spicer u joint for $20. Thats probably what I'll end up getting. I just need to get the old one off now.