Rear Drive Shaft And U-joints

[star2323]

Looks like the local oil change place screwed me over so I want to double check to make sure I have my facts straight before calling them.

 

I have an '03 Silverado 2500 HD with 8.1 and Allison. The rear drive shaft has two u-joints on it right? One on each end. In the following picture there is one u-joint shown right?

 

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005/decem.../u-joint-15.jpg

 

Thank you

[minibike132]

Take a deep breath, I don't really understand the question.

[star2323]

Take a deep breath, I don't really understand the question.

 

How many u-joints are on the rear drive shaft? How many u-joints are in the above picture (click the link to see the picture)?

[minibike132]

There is one u-joint in the picture. In most drive shafts there are two. In some heavy duty apps there are three, one at the output of the transmission or transfer case, one at the end of the shaft and attatched to that is a balancer with another attatched to that and the pinion, this is to compensate for varying angles on loads that may be in the rear. In some applications with weird angles that always exist there is a two piece prop shaft with one at the transmission or transfer case, then a center bearing and another u-joint then another at the pinion. In pretty rare instances there is four with a two piece prop shaft in an hd application which is a blend of the previous two mentioned prop designs. What I meant is take a deep breath and tell me what you think they lied to you about and maybe I can explain the situation. I'm pretty sure your not trying to put that corvette drive shaft and u-joint set up in an hd so perhaps you can see my confusion.

[star2323]

Yeah I'm not trying to put the Corvette drive shaft and u-joint shown in the picture in my 2500. I just found that picture to use as an example.

 

I had the rear u-joint on the drive shaft replaced and the shop said they would replace both u-joints while they had the shaft off. Well they replaced the rear u-joint but the front shaft u-joint was never replaced and they charged me for two u-joints. I'm calling them today to see what they say. Whether or not it was an honest mistake or they were trying to pull one over on me I'll probably never know.

 

On another note how come the stock u-joints do not have grease zerks like the aftermarket ones?

[Mikeee]

...On another note how come the stock u-joints do not have grease zerks like the aftermarket ones?

The bean counters have cost control.

The OEM u-joint only has to last for 100K.

Which they usually do.

Some believe that zerked units are not as strong.

Not all aftermarkets units have zerks.