Anyone have experience using Precision brand U-Joints?

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Kernal

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I'm about to replace my front U-Joints on my 80 and saw that O'Reilly's carries the Precision (Federal Mogul) brand. Their top of the line U-Joint has the zerk located in the center of one of the cups instead of coming out of the center of the Joint. They say it makes for a stronger Joint, but also seems like it would make it a bit easier to grease the Joints without putting the rig on a rack?? Anyone here ever use this style U-Joint?

Federal-Mogul - Precision Super-Strength U-joints
 
I am sure the OEM are about the best. I just have difficulty greasing them and saw these that you could grease this style from the outside of the cup. Seems that it would make for a quick job by just getting on your back in the driveway instead of lifting the rig by the frame to get the axles to droop enough to get the grease gun attachment on the zerks??
 
Kernal said:
I am sure the OEM are about the best. I just have difficulty greasing them and saw these that you could grease this style from the outside of the cup. Seems that it would make for a quick job by just getting on your back in the driveway instead of lifting the rig by the frame to get the axles to droop enough to get the grease gun attachment on the zerks??
Click to expand...

Problem solved:
Lincoln Lubrication 5803 - Needle Nozzle for Grease Guns
 
Tools R Us: how would that needle adaptor work with the zerk fittings?
 
IMHO Precisions are fine. Made in USA. OEM's appear to be made by GMB Japan. I found it impossible to find Spicer (which I prefer to use) for my 93. So I went to napa here in phx and they had reboxed GMB's. At first they tried to sell me the type without any zerks. I told them there was no way I would ever put those "permalubed" jobs on. I did not compare prices with Mr. T.

x2 on the needle adapter.

The only problem with the zerk in one end cap is getting the grease to all 4 end caps while installed.
 
ALCO: I went to O'Reillys and looked at one of these U-Joints, pulled the end caps off etc; there are small drilled channels inside the joint that go to all the caps/pin bearings and allow the grease to flow to every cap just like the OEM type U-Joint that have the zerk in the center of the Joint.
 
Kernal said:
Tools R Us: how would that needle adaptor work with the zerk fittings?
Click to expand...

Push the tip into the ball on the zerk and pump grease, works great.

ALCO said:
... OEM's appear to be made by GMB Japan. ...
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OEM joints are very nice quality, I have never seen that level of workmanship in any GMB joint that I have installed.

Kernal said:
The only problem with the zerk in one end cap is getting the grease to all 4 end caps while installed.
Click to expand...

Unless you wheel, then there is the issue of breaking the zerks off.
 
Tools R Us: guess I might need some training on how to get the needle tip on the end of a zerk without squirting grease all over, but will give it a try:) . The Precision joint I looked at had a cup type zerk that was counter sunk; hardly any of it was above the level of the cap; looked like you might use some sort of rubber nose adaptor to grease it; does that exist?
 
Kernal: It's hard to get grease to all 4 end caps without one of the seals leaking grease. Try them and see.

Tools r us: I agree the GMB's can look crude. And I was suprised to see them on my truck. I guess the PO of my truck had the ujoints replaced. I thought they were never replaced. I wish I could have found some Spicer joints. I wonder who makes the OEM ujoints then? Do they say anything on the joint or caps? GMB could make a range of ujoints as they are a huge automotive supplier out of Japan. Somebody supplies these to Toyota. Next time round I'll try OEM's and see for myself.

I have OEM rear axle bearings that are made by KOYO.

I used to work in a Spicer /Dana driveline shop and we always made fun of GMB and Precision whenever customers brought their ujoints in for replacement.
 
I found these two companies that make driveline components and are part of or related to the Toyota group:

KYOWA KOGYO CO., LTD.

JTEKT CORPORATION - Propeller Shafts

It looks like the OEM ujoints may be supplied by one of these companies. There is probably no way to buy direct from them.

GMB is not listed as part of the Toyota group. So they don't make the OEM ujoints.
 
caldentey said:
someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can get a better u-joint than the stock toyotas?!
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Actually the factory u-joints are usually the "middle of the road" quality and materials.....the "super strength" u-joints from precision (the same ones some people are speaking of that have a needle type grease zerk in the end of one of the caps) are very high quality and damn near indestructible as long as you keep them greased properly. In fact , I know of quite a few people who run them in their 4x4 trucks and even in some of their rock crawlers....so to answer your question in short.....they would probably outlast any other u-joint you (street application or not) that you could install in your Toyota.....and especially far outlast anything from factory.
 
Big Hoss: welcome to MUD. Back in 2009 when I asked this question I hadn't yet pulled out either drive shaft. I found the front Toyota U-joints were still in excellent condition at ~280,000 miles but had a very slight notch to them, however that notch was located beyond their usual range of movement. I bought a pair of OEM U-joints for replacements. The rear (original) U-joints now have 330,000 miles on them. I would say the Toyota U-joints are very high quality.
 
Well if you think the Toyota u-joints are high quality (and I'm not saying they are or are not, even though I find it rare to see a set last that long) then should try a set of Precision Super Strength u-joints.....not only will you get A bazillion highway miles out of them( as long as they are properly greased) but they are also tough enough to withstand a beating from off-roading, rock crawling and even race and dragstrip torture also...
 
My hopes in writing this is to help inform others and if you have a problem with me referring to a product by it's name or the manufacturer of said part, then maybe you're here for the wrong reasons...
 
I had 255k on my Yota ujoints when I replaced, I got oems from Cdan for 45 bucks couple years ago, they are not hard to grease with a normal grease gun and I have 4 inches of lift trick is to get the shaft in proper position, why mess with anything else.
 
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