Ok, I am getting ready to replace both u-joints on the rear drive shaft and I have part number 5016382aa from dodge and part number 458 for precisions from Oreillys. Does anyone have an opinion on where to get or what kind of u-joints seem to be best?

Thanks

 

I've really never noticed a difference in what kind of u-joint is used, personally, if it were my truck I'd go for the cheaper setup

 

I had bad exerinces with cheepy autozones. I suggest napa or deler. They are only $5 more. Its is a critcal part. I had mine fail at 75mphs. Luckly I was able to drive home on the front axle.

 

summit sells some good ones too, you just have to pay the 10.95 handling charge.....

 

I think there's nothing wrong with aftermarket u-joints, at least I've never suffered from them. Course I'm not Crazy4x4RT, I just drive a street rod. My only suggestion would be to get the sealed ones instead of the ones with zert fittings you have to grease. They last no longer and make a flying mess under your truck.

 

Well I am a little pissed. Oreillys had the best price on Precision u-joints around and I took my old u-joints in to have them matched up to the new ones. They sold me the 316 and 317. The small one goes into the splines and the everything seemed to go back together pretty well. Now I have vibration at 65+ mph.

I double checked to make sure the snap rings were all in place and that everything seemed to be set right. Its a solid shaft so its pretty much a no brainer to put together. My relatives advised me to position the snap rings facing the same way and see if that makes any difference. I did this and no difference. There is no slop in the shaft now, I especially feel the rigidness when I take off from a stop.

Can ANYONE please help me? I have run out of Ideas :S

 

What the heck year is it ! Precision is a good brand. That vibration was probably there before you replaced the joints and just didn't notice it cuz the joints being bad masked another smaller vibration. Depending on what year it is maybe the shaft is out of balance or it is wheel balancing.

 

Its a '93 and I just had the wheels balanced. I guess its possible that these are the correct u-joints and they are installed correctly. But what else could be causing the vibration?

 

so yours is not a split driveshaft? if it is i would check the carrier bearing, and if not thensomething could be out of wack, are all the caps sticking out the same?

 

Correct, Its a solid single shaft.Yes, the caps all seem to be evenly spaced. I am taking the day off tomorrow to take it inland truck in Olathe KS to have them balance it. I am not sure exactly what all that consists of. But I guess it will be a learning experience.