Best U-joint for fj40

[slickrock]

Also Mark A. Might have some stock joints in his collection. Have to call him though. (818) 953-9230. Marks Offroad.

 

[Godwin]

x-2 on the Neapco. I replaced a set of 60 u-joints with 275,000 miles on them with
Neapco. They were toast in 32,000 miles. OEM seems to be the best but the other Japanese mfgs are a close second. Many times the Beck-Arnley are repackaged OEM. I've never found a Beck-Arnley that was junk

X3 on the Neapcos. Had some installed by a driveline shop in a FJ60 shaft and I bet they didn't last 20,000 miles.

 

[nazdackster]

I had the Matsuba joints installed at a driveline shop a couple of years ago. He also said it was very tough to do. The joints have some play in them in the axial direction, meaning they can move along the axis of a cross a little, but there is no play in the direction you would expect where the bearings are taking load. I suppose this is not a big issue but the fit is not as good as the Toyota. I only changed them because I had a vibration issue and since I couldn't locate it, I did a shaft balance / rebuild as part of the process. I should have kept the old ones, I think they were fine.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I have not had to replace any of mine yet, but from reading around here, I've heard a lot of good things about Spicer. That said, if I was going to replace mine, I'd probably go with one of the Japanese manufactured/OEM parts over Spicer.

Another up-vote for Kurt though - great guy, easy to work with!

 

[Splangy]

the fit is not as good as the Toyota.

The fit of the Matsuba joints isn't as good as the Toyota joints? That sounds a little funny to me.

Toyota sells clips with different thicknesses to get rid of that play. They fit exactly like the Toyota u-joints do when they're installed with the proper thickness clips.

 

[Vae Victus]

I agree....I would never want to do that again. it took for ever. from now on, it's going to the drive shaft shop- worth every penny.

Yep, doing it right now. Pain in the butt. Of course I'm cleaning and painting the drive shafts too.

 

[RattleCan]

FWIW I purchased NOS Dana Spicer u-joints off ebay. Was a score because the seller had four brand new joints for 7 bucks a piece! Great so I have a couple spares for the future.

Upon receiving the joints they are stamped on the dana spicer box and on the protective plastic packaging MADE IN JAPAN. And look to be top quality.

And yeah, driveline work is a pain in the ass

 

[shipmag]

My local Napa has spicer and the Napa brand from china. Any feed back on either of these?

 

[Vae Victus]

Thanks for the advice guys. Ordering the Matsuba $37 units from CruiserCorps.

The ones I bought from Bob @ TPI were about that same cost. Not stamped but quality units. Just don't wanna drive 30 miles ea way to get them.

Been out pounding the last ujoint out this pm. Have cleaned and primed the front shaft. Rear shaft is ready for re-assy.

 

[camcruiser13]

moog is a great brand, I like

 

[Splangy]

Why is this even a debate? Just go with the Matsuba brand from Kurt. They're the same as the OEM joints but $20 cheaper than the dealership. Anybody who's used aftermarket discount parts store joints (or even moog or spicer) and compared them to Matsuba/OEM will agree.

 

[nazdackster]

I noticed that my Matsuba joints have axial play on each joint after 2 years and only maybe 6000 or 8000 miles. What I mean is that there is no play in the bearing direction, but each cross is free to move on its axis a little bit, probably 0.2mm or so. My other (possibly original) joints don't do that. Meaning the thickness of the caps isn't the same or there is some other issue.

 

[Splangy]

I noticed that my Matsuba joints have axial play on each joint after 2 years and only maybe 6000 or 8000 miles. What I mean is that there is no play in the bearing direction, but each cross is free to move on its axis a little bit, probably 0.2mm or so. My other (possibly original) joints don't do that. Meaning the thickness of the caps isn't the same or there is some other issue.

Read my post above about using the proper thickness clips. They probably always had a little play, but you never noticed it until the caps settled in.

 

[nazdackster]

clip sizes

I spoke with Cruiser Dan about this and he said other size clips are available. I don't have the figures, but the old ones (Toyota) are about 1.4mm thick and come in 3 sizes varying a total of maybe 0.05mm. The new ones are closer to 2 mm and also are available in 3 sizes. He has never sold an off size clip. We surmise that maybe when mine was installed (at a driveshaft shop) we think he used 3 new ones (2mm) and one old one. I have to measure and see if mine is off that much. I guess I'll just take it off and measure the play. He's never heard of what I'm describing, so it could also be that one of the pieces got damaged during assembly / disassembly.

 

[ConspicuousPig]

I've had great service from Cruiser Outfitters - absolutely no complaints.

I've also purchased a few items from fjparts.com (couple years back). I was completely satisfied with their service. It's a one man business and the owner answers the phone when you call. Can't remember the guys name but he gave me straight forward answers to all my questions and there were no surprises when the stuff arrived.

I know this is an old post but for anyone referring to it regarding fjparts.com, I just ordered a bunch of stuff from him/them. He answered the phone and had a nice chat. he gave me honest answers that ultimately saved me money in the end when discussing OEM vs Aftermarket brake components. So far so good and I have no complaints.
However for u-joints I would go with OEM or equivalent. Hands down.

 

[Robish534]

Can someone post a part number for Spicer u joits for 1970 3 speed fj40?

 

[flx]

Hi

I'm reviving this thread because I was looking to buy a u-joint for my 10/73 built FJ40.
I was under the impression that OEM was still available and when I started my research most partnumbers for a u-joint applicable for <01/1974 were indicated as available on Amayama or my local equivalent.
Since then I tried to order 04371-36010, 04371-36011 and even 04371-40010 (Dyna pn) both in Japan and Europe and they all became NLA one after another... So except if I'm missing a partnumber or a source I think that the OEM u-joint for <01/1974 is now NLA.

After some research I think I found the equivalent SKU from various aftermarket providers:
Matsuba UJ214
Koyo T2978
GMB GUT-14
Kavo DUJ-9011

From the previous discussions it seems that Matsuba is the OEM provider so probably the best quality. But I don't find them anywhere in Europe, the only sellers I find are in the US and that means more shipping than the price of the u-joint and then customs to pay...

On the other hand I found multiple sources in Europe for the GMB at quite a cheap price, it's made in Japan and actually a known name as a supplier on the FJ40 (F waterpump). So does anyone has any experience with the GMB u-joint and their quality?

Finally there is the Kavo, I never heard of this brand and I guess no-one else has, probably a rebranding from who knows where. Their big advantage is that they are available at all the main European aftermarket parts suppliers, so very easy to have the part tomorrow on my door step.

 

[OGBeno]

Hi

I'm reviving this thread because I was looking to buy a u-joint for my 10/73 built FJ40.
I was under the impression that OEM was still available and when I started my research most partnumbers for a u-joint applicable for <01/1974 were indicated as available on Amayama or my local equivalent.
Since then I tried to order 04371-36010, 04371-36011 and even 04371-40010 (Dyna pn) both in Japan and Europe and they all became NLA one after another... So except if I'm missing a partnumber or a source I think that the OEM u-joint for <01/1974 is now NLA.

After some research I think I found the equivalent SKU from various aftermarket providers:
Matsuba UJ214
Koyo T2978
GMB GUT-14
Kavo DUJ-9011

From the previous discussions it seems that Matsuba is the OEM provider so probably the best quality. But I don't find them anywhere in Europe, the only sellers I find are in the US and that means more shipping than the price of the u-joint and then customs to pay...

On the other hand I found multiple sources in Europe for the GMB at quite a cheap price, it's made in Japan and actually a known name as a supplier on the FJ40 (F waterpump). So does anyone has any experience with the GMB u-joint and their quality?

Finally there is the Kavo, I never heard of this brand and I guess no-one else has, probably a rebranding from who knows where. Their big advantage is that they are available at all the main European aftermarket parts suppliers, so very easy to have the part tomorrow on my door step.

Matsuba is NOT the OEM supplier.

 

[fjc-man]

Pictured is the tool used in the twenty first century. 04371-60210 oem u-joint from Partsouq.com for 35 bucks + shipping.

 

[flx]

Matsuba is NOT the OEM supplier.

Thanks Onur for the info! Would you know who was the original supplier?

Pictured is the tool used in the twenty first century. 04371-60210 oem u-joint from Partsouq.com for 35 bucks + shipping.

04371-60210 is for >01/1974 when the yoke changed! This partnumber seems highly available anywhere.

They are easy to recognize, the <01/1974 has outside clips while the >01/1974 has inside clips.