Universal Joints, Girdles, Straps, & Components

Driveshaft failure can be very damaging and dangerous to both the vehicle and driver as it spins around erratically underneath a car or truck. It's very important to have strong universal joints installed to help prevent breakage and the driveshaft from disconnecting. Aftermarket and heavy-duty universal joints are designed with strength in mind to help reduce part failure.

Aftermarket u joints are manufactured with high-quality materials that are stronger than factory-replacement components, which helps reduce wear and breakage. Performance auto u joints also are made with improved designs that promote longer service life and reduced failure rates.

An automotive u joint is a component that attaches the ends of a driveshaft to the transmission and rear or front axle. At the transmission, it attaches to the transmission yoke with snap rings that hold the joint in place while the caps fit inside the yoke "rings". At the rear end of the driveshaft, a u joint attaches to the pinion yoke in a similar way. A universal joint is designed with bearings underneath its caps that allows the cap swivel. This allows the driveshaft angle to change while it's spinning and the suspension extends and compresses during driving.

If the universal joint has a grease fitting in its body, a grease gun can be connected to it. Grease is injected into the joint until it just starts to ooze out of the caps. The joint then has enough grease and lubrication is complete.

There are multiple causes that lead to universal joint failure. The most common reason for failure is the lack of proper lubrication. This causes increased friction between the needle bearings located inside the cap as they move between the cap and the u joint main body. Without the proper amount of grease, the bearings wear down causing the cap and body to be loose, leading to failure. Another cause is contamination to the bearings of dirt, dust, or debris. The universal joint caps have rubber seals between them and the main body to keep dirt and moisture out. When the rubber breaks down, the grease escapes and contaminants can get inside the cap with the bearings. This causes increased friction, leading to excess wear and part failure. The other most common cause is excessive driveshaft angles used in lifted vehicles or custom applications. These cause increased stress on the universal joint components, which leads to failure.

When replacing universal joints drive shaft removal is required as the first step. Next, the retaining clips are released from the u joint caps. The universal u joints either will slide out of the yokes or will require removal of the bearing caps to allow the main body to be released. Installation of auto universal joints is the reverse of removal.