drive shaft u-joint replacement needed

[studefan]

Looks like I need a new rear u-joint for the drive shaft of my 64 lark HT. It's leaking. Any recommended supplier/part number/etc? The current u- joint says Spicer.

Thanks, Jeff

[rockne10]

Pardon my query. I never heard of a u-joint leaking. Are you sure you don't mean the differential yoke seal?

[Bob Andrews]

I never heard of a u-joint leaking. Are you sure you don't mean the differential yoke seal?

Second that. If you as a Super Lark owner thinks a u-joint leaks, you're scaring me!! <GG>

[Milaca]

It's leaking? Might it be oil leaking from the rear pinion seal that you see? Or did you over grease the U-joint and grease squirted beyond the rubber needle bearing seals? Does the U-joint seem worn? As for a replacement, I went to the local auto supply store last year and asked for a rear U-joint for my '63 Hawk, and they had a listing for it so I ordered one and it works perfect. My old joint was worn and sloppy.

[DEEPNHOCK]

U-joints can most certainly leak.
Some u-joints have a zerk fitting for adding grease at regular service intervals.
Even a 'non-servicable' u-joint without provisions for greasing...still come packed with grease.
Once the small roller bearings 'brinnel', or wear into the trunion and/or the cap, the clearances can open up, and if the rubber seal is not flexible enough to allow for this movement, the lube can leak out.
Especially if the rubber is hardened from years of use (like most Stude's).
A lot of times the grease can separate into oil and soap (one of the thickeners they put into oil to make grease)
Then the oil part of the grease compound can come out.
It can happen.
HTIH
Jeff

Second that. If you as a Super Lark owner thinks a u-joint leaks, you're scaring me!! <GG>

Originally Posted by rockne10
I never heard of a u-joint leaking. Are you sure you don't mean the differential yoke seal?

[Aussie Hawk]

I've been meaning to comment on this for a while - you guys and your funny accent and names, it's a grease nipple, well here it is anyways. If you said Zerk to an Aussie they'd look at you real funny, then say - what? You guys! ;-)

[DEEPNHOCK]

Grease nipples?
My first two thoughts were....
(1) You must use Lanolin down there...
(2) We have to pay extra for that at the gentlemans club..

I've been meaning to comment on this for a while - you guys and your funny accent and names, it's a grease nipple, well here it is anyways. If you said Zerk to an Aussie they'd look at you real funny, then say - what? You guys! ;-)

[studefan]

Bob, don't be scared. This Super Lark owner is no master mechanic but this is pretty basic stuff. Looks like even you pros can learn some new things too.

It's not the pinion seal. That was leaking and I already replaced that.

What I am referring to here is the "universal joint" at the rear of the drive shaft. It's called a "universal joint" in the parts book. Spicer type.

Jeff's description above is exactly correct. These are pre-greased assemblies with no grease fittings. They have rubber seals on the four ends. Mine are brittle and grease is leaking out around the seals.

I think these are readily available so I'll just look around. Thanks.

[Alan]

Stude No. 1562019, same as Spicer 5-200X, same as Borg-Warner 114-549 (no grease fitting)
Standard Duty W/grease fitting Spicer 5-121X, same as B/W 114-521
Heavy Duty, Spicer 5-153X, same as B/W 114-521HD
If you want Interchange Numbers I can give you at least 20.

[Tom Bredehoft]

For the Aussie in all of us. Alemite, when they introduced the grease fitting to the world, called it a Zerk. It was a little round protrusion with two side arms on it. The mechanic who was going to grease the fitting put the grease gun over the two arms and twisted it 60 deg, locking it on. Then he applied pressure and the grease went into the fitting. Subsequent to this, other fittings have been developed, that grab the interior of the gun and hold on. They are called nipples, but our Victorian prudishness dictates that we can't call them that, so we call them Zerks.

[PackardV8]

One of the best things about Studes is they bought all the driveline parts from Borg-Warner and Spicer. Thus, all the axle, driveshaft and transmission wear parts are as common as dirt. Any auto parts store should have the correct U-joints. However, they may not know which one it is, because if they're like O'Reilly's computer system, it requires entering a make, year and model, then doesn't have all the applicable Stude and Packard models in the data base.

Take a dial caliper with you to a four-wheel-drive shop. They'll most certainly have it.

jack vines

[whacker]

I still want to know how Deepnhock knows about prices at the gentleman's clubs.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Gold card holder, baby!

I still want to know how Deepnhock knows about prices at the gentleman's clubs.

[Werdegast]

Bob you do not strike me as a "scair-de-cat" :-)

Second that. If you as a Super Lark owner thinks a u-joint leaks, you're scaring me!! <GG>

[Bob Andrews]

Jeff, you know I'm just teasing. But you're right, we can always learn. I'm far from being any kind of expert, but I do have some experience; and any u-joint I've ever seen has maybe a teaspoon-full of grease in it total- so I can't say as I've ever seen anything leak out of one.

When you stop learning, you start dying