69 U-Joints

[Dick Bottis]

I have been procrastinating on replacing the U-joints on my 69 coupe. I have been living with the clunk since putting it back on the road. Before I take a long cruise I think I should replace them, I plan on replacing the half shaft u-joints also. My question is do the OEM drive shaft U-joint have grease fitting? In some catalogs it shows both. Which one is right?

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Dick-----

DEFINITELY replace the half-shaft u-joints. If yours are "clunking" the next step might be breakage. Often times, that will take some underbody fiberglass with it. DO NOT take a chance.

ALL original half shaft and driveshaft u-joints used for 69 Corvettes were of the non-grease fitting type. You may replace with either the grease fitting or non-grease fitting type. It's your choice. In either case, I recommend only Spicer brand u-joints. Current Spicer brand without grease fittings may be configured differently than the originals, if that matters to you.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Dick-----

DEFINITELY replace the half-shaft u-joints. If yours are "clunking" the next step might be breakage. Often times, that will take some underbody fiberglass with it. DO NOT take a chance.

ALL original half shaft and driveshaft u-joints used for 69 Corvettes were of the non-grease fitting type. You may replace with either the grease fitting or non-grease fitting type. It's your choice. In either case, I recommend only Spicer brand u-joints. Current Spicer brand without grease fittings may be configured differently than the originals, if that matters to you.

[Gary S.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Dick, depending on when and where you hear the clunk, don't rule out the front differential to frame rubber cushion or snubber. Symptoms include clunking during acceleration or decleration.

I have a large driveshaft/spring shop near me that carries a full line of Spicer u-joints and they don't have the old style Spicers. The new type are functional equivalents and one can assume that they have the same reputation as the old design. I have not been able to locate any of the old type of joints and their parts guy thinks that the stock of them is exhausted.
Gary

[Gary S.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Dick, depending on when and where you hear the clunk, don't rule out the front differential to frame rubber cushion or snubber. Symptoms include clunking during acceleration or decleration.

I have a large driveshaft/spring shop near me that carries a full line of Spicer u-joints and they don't have the old style Spicers. The new type are functional equivalents and one can assume that they have the same reputation as the old design. I have not been able to locate any of the old type of joints and their parts guy thinks that the stock of them is exhausted.
Gary

[Larry Sherman]

Re: 69 U-Joints

If you check with Spicer, you will find that they make a line of u-joints that can be greased through the bearing cap with a needle adapter on your grease gun. Best of both worlds---greasable and no loss of strength. I use them on my old pickup with a 2 piece drive shaft. Used to have to change them at least yearly. Now I haven't changed one in 3 years. Larry

[Larry Sherman]

Re: 69 U-Joints

If you check with Spicer, you will find that they make a line of u-joints that can be greased through the bearing cap with a needle adapter on your grease gun. Best of both worlds---greasable and no loss of strength. I use them on my old pickup with a 2 piece drive shaft. Used to have to change them at least yearly. Now I haven't changed one in 3 years. Larry

[dick bottis]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Thanks for all the advise. I'll make sure I check out the differential rubber bumper.

Do most of the Corvette catalog houses sell spicer u-joints or do I need to do some local research. I live in So Cal anyone know a supplier in this area?

[dick bottis]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Thanks for all the advise. I'll make sure I check out the differential rubber bumper.

Do most of the Corvette catalog houses sell spicer u-joints or do I need to do some local research. I live in So Cal anyone know a supplier in this area?

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Dick-----

I think that you'll find it easiest to just procure the u-joints locally; I don't know what brand that the Corvette vendors sell. There simply MUST be a Spicer dealer located somewhere near you in Southern California. Look for a driveline shop with the name "Driveline Service of..........". Those are usually always Spicer dealers. Also, I HIGHLY recommend that you take your half shafts to them and have them install the u-joints. The half shaft u-joints are MUCH more difficult to install than the driveshaft u-joints. Without a fixture to support the outer flange, you can distort and destroy it while trying to remove the old u-joints. An old spindle flange will serve as a adequate support, but it's still a bear to remove and install these joints. Plus, driveline shops usually will do the installation for a nominal cost, especially when you purchase the u-joints from them. Believe me, it's the only way to go.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

Dick-----

I think that you'll find it easiest to just procure the u-joints locally; I don't know what brand that the Corvette vendors sell. There simply MUST be a Spicer dealer located somewhere near you in Southern California. Look for a driveline shop with the name "Driveline Service of..........". Those are usually always Spicer dealers. Also, I HIGHLY recommend that you take your half shafts to them and have them install the u-joints. The half shaft u-joints are MUCH more difficult to install than the driveshaft u-joints. Without a fixture to support the outer flange, you can distort and destroy it while trying to remove the old u-joints. An old spindle flange will serve as a adequate support, but it's still a bear to remove and install these joints. Plus, driveline shops usually will do the installation for a nominal cost, especially when you purchase the u-joints from them. Believe me, it's the only way to go.

[John L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

I recently installed new U-joints in my 68's half shafts and drive shaft. I bought Spicer U-joints because everyone claimed they were the best. I found that because of the new configuration, I was not able to fit them into the half shaft's mounts. The new style U-joints have extra material on both sides which make it impossible to slide them into the half shafts. I eventually used non greaseable Brute Force U-joints.

[John L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

I recently installed new U-joints in my 68's half shafts and drive shaft. I bought Spicer U-joints because everyone claimed they were the best. I found that because of the new configuration, I was not able to fit them into the half shaft's mounts. The new style U-joints have extra material on both sides which make it impossible to slide them into the half shafts. I eventually used non greaseable Brute Force U-joints.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

John-----

Were these Spicer's the type that are made of forged powder metal and have a round center section? If so, these are what GM currently sells to SERVICE 63-79 Corvette half-shaft and driveshaft applications.

Also, did you check into the Spicer's WITH grease fittings? I purchased some of these a few years back and they were still of the conventional style and they fit perfectly.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U-Joints

John-----

Were these Spicer's the type that are made of forged powder metal and have a round center section? If so, these are what GM currently sells to SERVICE 63-79 Corvette half-shaft and driveshaft applications.

Also, did you check into the Spicer's WITH grease fittings? I purchased some of these a few years back and they were still of the conventional style and they fit perfectly.