C4 Spicer U-Joints???

[Peter M.]

Which of these are the correct part number for C4 Vettes??

* Spicer #5-799X

* Spicer #1350 non-greasable

Should I use these or have you guys found a better U-joint than the Spicer?

[Jim L.]

Re: C4 Spicer U-Joints???

Which of these are the correct part number for C4 Vettes??

* Spicer #5-799X

* Spicer #1350 non-greasable

Should I use these or have you guys found a better U-joint than the Spicer?

Are you looking for drive shaft U-joints or half-shaft U-joints? The two are not the same. For the drive shaft, you almost certainly want a 1310 u-joint. The half-shafts take 1350 u-joints.

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Spicer U-Joints???

Which of these are the correct part number for C4 Vettes??

* Spicer #5-799X

* Spicer #1350 non-greasable

Should I use these or have you guys found a better U-joint than the Spicer?

Peter------

The driveshat u-joints are 1310 series and the half-shaft are 1350 series. Neither of these numbers is a Spicer PART number, though; they are just u-joint SERIES numbers. Within these series, there are u-joints and there are u-joints; all sorts of u-joints to choose from. In fact, there are Spicer u-joints and there are Spicer u-joints.

For your 1986, here are the OEM type u-joints:

driveshaft----Spicer #5-626X (old 5-467X), aka GM #14067678

half-shaft-----Spicer #5-617X (old 5-447X), aka GM #89059111

The above are the OEM-quality u-joints. They are MUCH, MUCH more expensive than many aftermarket-type u-joints. In fact, the GM list price of these u-joints is about 90 bucks, each, but less from discount GM dealers as well as Spicer dealers (under Spicer part numbers provided).

The Spicer 5-799X are a 1350 series u-joint that will work for the half shaft positions on C4 Corvettes. However, they are NOT OEM-type u-joints.

So, what's the difference between OEM type and aftermarket? All sorts of differences. For one, the OEM type Corvette u-joints have a special coating to help protect the C4 ALUMINUM driveshaft and half shafts from galvanic corrosion. The aftermarket-type do not. If you want u-joints with this coating, you get the ones I described above.

[Peter M.]

Re: C4 Spicer U-Joints???

Peter------

For your 1986, here are the OEM type u-joints:

half-shaft-----Spicer #5-617X (old 5-447X), aka GM #89059111

The above are the OEM-quality u-joints. They are MUCH, MUCH more expensive than many aftermarket-type u-joints. In fact, the GM list price of these u-joints is about 90 bucks, each, but less from discount GM dealers as well as Spicer dealers (under Spicer part numbers provided).

Thanks Joe. However, I am still having some problems identifying the proper Spicer half-shaft u-joints I need. Seems that the 5-617X is not available anywhere (at least I can't seem to find them) and the 5-800X has been replaced by the 5-799X, but I am not sure if the 5-799X has the treated end caps and is non-greasable. Can you point me in the right direction?

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Spicer U-Joints???

Thanks Joe. However, I am still having some problems identifying the proper Spicer half-shaft u-joints I need. Seems that the 5-617X is not available anywhere (at least I can't seem to find them) and the 5-800X has been replaced by the 5-799X, but I am not sure if the 5-799X has the treated end caps and is non-greasable. Can you point me in the right direction?

Peter-----

The GM #89059111 is a very recent part number. It may very well be that it also represents a change from the 5-617X to some new Spicer part number. However, I can't confirm just what that Spicer part number is. It's possible it is the 5-799X but, somehow, I don't think so.

Are you unable to source the 89059111 from a GM dealer? That's the one that should be the "direct descendant" of the original.

[Peter M.]

Re: C4 Spicer U-Joints???

Peter-The GM #89059111 is a very recent part number. Are you unable to source the 89059111 from a GM dealer? That's the one that should be the "direct descendant" of the original.

Won't know until Monday; should know before noon. Thanks again for your help, Joe. More later....