[DeTomaso] U-joints

[Larry Finch]

<<<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.>>>

I replaced all four u-joints last winter.

Discussed this very issue with the driveline shop owner.  I live in  
the middle of Farm Basket USA, and he says this style of u-joint lasts  
for years and years of use on hard-used farm and processing equipment.  
He said for my application he would use the solid body u-joints with  
no zerk fitting.

He based this on considering how many miles the  car is used - I told  
him 4,000-6,000 annually - and he said he had no doubts the u-joints  
would serve very well for ten years at that usage. As the Dawg would  
say, most of you slackers don't even come close to my annual mileage  
in three or four or five years, so they would be a lifetime install  
for many Panteras. He said the rubber cap gaskets on that style were  
firmer and would not allow oozing or loss of grease, they were well  
lubricated by Spicer and not to worry.

No annual greasing, no grease flinging all around the engine bay.

YMMV

Larry - In the 69 months of available driving time during my ownership  
of 2511,  I've put 35,990 miles on the                  odometer - an  
average of over 500 miles each month.