U joint zerk fitting. Does it need thread locker?

Fitting my new spicer 1330 and realized I've never had to change a u joint before. Learn me.

I have never put thread locker on one. They are a pipe thread and seem to stay tight.

No, it's a taper thread, just put it in snug, maybe 5 ft lbs? You could almost get one tight enough with a nut driver. After putting the joint in, I like to pump a lot of grease though it (gushing out past the seals), completely flush out the factory lube, this will clear out any dirt inadvertently introduced in the installation process, and with the cheap joints (no applicable here) flush out the cheapo included grease with good stuff. The zerk should go in after you press in the joint, it can get in the way.

I have never put locker on them either. They really do not spin all that fast, and because they are so close to the centre of their spin, they do not develop a lot of force on them.

Good to know. Thanks fellas.

A real u joint doesn't have a grease zerk on it..

what do you consider a "real U Joint"? I have seen plenty with zerk fittings

THen why are all the good spicer joints with zerk? And why do the majority of crap u joints not have them?

exactly TM.. the commercial vehicles I drove and maintained all had zerk fittings on the U joints. I used to save the company quite a bit of cash by doing all the basic maintenance.. left the heavy stuff to the professionals

A joint with the zerk in the end of the cap is both easier and stronger than ones with a zerk in the middle of the cross.

The grease shipped in u joints is not supposed to be used in the final installations. As part of the install process of new u joints you must put enough new grease in to displace the grease used in the assembly process. The best way to do this is by placing a blob of it I the cap and forcing the cap on the center section.

This is very important to ensure that the new u joint will last. Also it is important to use grease recommended by the u joint manufacturer.

I use the waterproof grease for mercury outboard motor lower ends. I called the u joint manufacturer where I get all my u joints and asked about thus specific product for the specific application I use there product for. (steering shafts) for driveline u joints you would want a grease that stands up to the pressures but you have to make sure the partial size in the grease is not to large.

mad_machine wrote: what do you consider a "real U Joint"? I have seen plenty with zerk fittings

Heavy duty U-joints for high performance or high load applications will come without a zerk, since the hole for the zerk is a potential weak spot. For regular street use, one with a zerk will work fine.

oldopelguy has it right. The Zerk goes in the end of one cap, not in the centre of the cross.