[DeTomaso] U-joints

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/8/09 3:17:44 PM, tborcich at msn.com writes:

> Is there a heavy heavy duty u-joint available to fit the stock half 
> shafts?  A few months ago I spoke to Wilkenson about possibly replacing my half 
> shafts with spicers...but he told me stock units are stronger than the 
> spicers which surprised me.
> 
Forged steel is forged steel. If you look for u-joints without drillings 
for grease fittings, they will theoretically be a little bit stronger than 
those hollowed out for a zerk fitting. But then, you have to periodically 
disassemble them to grease them. Stock u-joints are incredibly strong but NOTHING 
will withstand miles and miles of no grease with 300+ horses flowing thru 
them. It all comes down to service and preventive maintenence. Jr Wilson used 
stockers in his SS racer with almost 900 horses and way-over 200 mph 
velocities, with no trouble from halfshafts or u-joints. Jr. never learned to baby 
any vehicle. But he did service the beast religiously. 
And Mr Wilkinson is correct: my Spicer u-joints are physically smaller in 
all dimensions than the stock u-joints..... and they have zerk fittings. Now 
going on 20 yrs of use with no trouble and they have not been easy miles. 
You'll be OK as long as your new assemblies are greased before use . Note- the 
stuff inside new u-joints is NOT chassis grease; I'm told it's a rust 
preventive! FWIW- J Deryke