CRAWLPEDIA

Off-Road Encyclopedia

U-Joint Angles and Binding

While u-joints are a simple way to transfer torque through an angle, they are far from perfect. Anything outside of a straight line will cause the yokes to bind, creating increased leverage forces on the u-joints and four speed changes during every rotation. These effects get more dramatic as the angle between the two shafts increases meaning that steering axles are at their weakest and most off-balance position when they are at full-turn.

U-Joint Angle	Load Increase	Load Factor	Strength
0 °	0.0%	1.00 X	Strongest (100%)
10 °	1.7%	1.02 X
20 °	6.4%	1.06 X
30 °	15.9%	1.16 X
40 °	30.8%	1.31 X	Weakest (70%)

Constant Velocity Joints
Constant velocity or "CV" joints eliminate binding and speed changes during rotation, however, they are more expensive and mainly used in independent suspension vehicles and some Toyota and Mercedes straight axles. Driveshafts with properly phased u-joints with matching input and output angles will also have constant input and output speeds because the misalignment angles cancel themselves out.

Front Axle U-Joints (Wheel Joints)

Standard OEM Steering Axle U-Joints
Universal joints found in front steering axles of 4x4 vehicles have different requirements than those used in driveshafts since they are mounted directly at the wheel and see high torque loads, higher angels, and are more exposed to mud, water, and debris. While most OEM u-joints will last the life of a typical 4x4 truck or SUV, modifications like larger tires and increased horsepower combined with extreme use will cause them to wear out faster.

Although there are hundreds of different u-joint sizes, steering axles typically only use 1310 and 1480 series wheel joints with newer commercial truck axles using extra-large 1550 series joints. Steering axle joints also tend to have inner snap rings (ISR) as opposed to outside snap rings (OSR) used in most driveshafts. The following table contains a list common steering axle u-joints:

Model	Series	Snap Ring Spread	Cap Dia.	Greaseable	Applications
5-260X ⤴	1310WJ	2.188" (Inside)	1.062"	No	Early "Small" Dana 30 Axles
5-760X ⤴	1310WJ	2.188" (Inside)	1.188"	No	Dana 30 & 44, GM 8.5 Axles
SPL55-3X ⤴	1480WJ	3.000" (Inside)	1.375"	No	Dana 60 Axles
SPL55-4X ⤴	1480WJ	3.000" (Inside)	1.375"	Yes (Body)	Dana 60 Axles
5006813 ⤴	1485WJ	2.90" (Inside)	1.375"	No	AAM 9.25" IFS Axles
SPL70-4X ⤴	1550WJ	3.78" (Inside)	1.375"	Yes (Body)	Dana Super 60, 70, 80
CP750N	750N	4.747" (Outside)	1.626"	Yes (Body)	Rockwell 2.5 Ton

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U-Joint Width vs. Cap Size
U-Joint sizes change based on two factors, the overall width of the cross and the diameter of the caps. Larger caps result in a stronger joint, while a larger cross will usually allow for more misalignment. For example, both 1310 and 1330 U-joints use 1.062" diameter caps, however, the 1330 is .406" wider and allows for more misalignment.

Axle U-Joint Strength Ratings
U-joint strength depends on the type of steel it is made from as well as the size of the body, bearings, and caps. They are rated by continuous torque loads which are calculated based on the full expected life of the u-joint. Catastrophic failure ratings are estimated to be 2 to 3 times listed yield torque.

U-Joint Series	Max Angle	Continuous Tq.	Max. Cont. Tq.	Yield Tq.
1310WJ	27-30 Deg.	130 lbs-ft.	790 lbs-ft.	1,600 lbs-ft
1480WJ	35-38 Deg.	340 lbs-ft.	2,000 lbs-ft.	3,300 lbs-ft
1550WJ	45-50 Deg.	N/A	N/A	N/A
Note: Angles are measured as total turn, left to right. Steering angles are often limited by yokes and knuckles which may be modified for additional clearance.

Competition U-Joints
In extreme applications where axles are fitted with aftermarket 4340 Chromoly or 300M alloy axle shafts, standard u-joints would be an unwanted weak link. Companies like Yukon, OX, and CTM make extra strong, race-only style u-joints that can handle big tires and horsepower, however, these joints typically require daily lubrication and servicing that make them impractical for everyday use.

RCV Chromoly CV Axle Shafts
While competition u-joints do provide great strength, they still have the same u-joint faults listed above. To get the ultimate in strength and reliability, u-joints need to be replaced with heavy duty constant velocity (CV) shafts. RCV 4340 Chromoly and 300M CV axle shafts are twice as strong as standard u-joint axles while providing constant input and output speeds all the way up to 45 degrees. They are so strong, in fact, that RCV backs them with a limited lifetime warranty that even covers oversize tires and high horsepower in race applications.

Driveshaft U-Joints

Standard OEM Driveshaft U-Joints
Driveshaft U-joints come in hundreds of different variations, however, the following six sizes are by far the most common.

Series	Max Angle	Max Speed	Continuous Tq.	Max. Cont. Tq.	Yield Tq.
1210			90 lbs-ft.	560 lbs-ft.	1,250 lbs-ft
1310	30 °	6,000 RPM	130 lbs-ft.	800 lbs-ft.	1,600 lbs-ft
1330	20 °	5,000 RPM	150 lbs-ft.	890 lbs-ft.	1,850 lbs-ft
1350	20 °	5,000 RPM	210 lbs-ft.	1,240 lbs-ft.	2,260 lbs-ft
1410	35-37 °	5,000 RPM	250 lbs-ft.	1,500 lbs-ft.	2,700 lbs-ft
1480		5,000 RPM	340 lbs-ft.	2,200 lbs-ft.	3,300 lbs-ft

U-Joint Models and Part Numbers

Driveshaft U-Joint List
U-joint models and part numbers have mostly remained consistent over the years, however, many joints have been replaced due to slight improvements and thus there may be numerous designations for the same u-joint model. The table below contains a list of the most common automotive u-joints as well as their various other part numbers.

Model	Series	Snap Ring Spread	Cap Dia.	Greaseable	Previous PNs
5-110X ⤴	1000	1.500" (Inside)	0.938"	No
5-103X ⤴	1000	1.500" (Inside)	0.938"	Yes (Body)
5-170X ⤴	1000	1.500" (Inside)	0.938"	Yes (Body)
5-170-1X ⤴/td>	1000	1.500" (Inside)	0.938"	Yes (Cap)
5-101X ⤴	1100	2.411" (Outside)	0.938"	No	5-102X
5-105X	1100	1.718" (Inside)	1.000"	Yes (Body)	5-100X
5-443X ⤴	1200	2.438" (Outside)	1.062"	Yes (Cap)	5-315X
5-554X	1200	2.438" (Outside)	1.062"	Yes (Cap)
5-1310X	1310	3.219" (Outside)	1.062"	No	5-1201X
5-153X ⤴	1310	3.219" (Outside)	1.062"	Yes (Body)	5-200X, 5-121X
5-1310-1X	1310	3.219" (Outside)	1.062"	Yes (Cap)	5-433-1X, 5-810X
5-1330X ⤴	1330	3.625" (Outside)	1.062"	No	5-790X, 5-791X, 5-812X, 5-618X
5-213X ⤴	1330	3.625" (Outside)	1.062"	Yes (Body)	5-1203X
5-3615X	1350	3.625" (Outside)	1.188"	No	5-447X, 5-617X, 5-800X, 5-799X
5-1350X ⤴	1350	3.625" (Outside)	1.188"	No	5-447X, 5-617X, 5-800X, 5-799X
5-3208X ⤴	1355	3.612" (Outside)	1.188"	No
5-1410X ⤴	1410	4.188" (Outside)	1.188"	No	5-801X, 5-641X, SPL36-1X
5-1410X ⤴	1410	4.188" (Outside)	1.188"	Yes (Body)	5-801X, 5-641X, SPL36-1X
5-160X ⤴	1410	4.188" (Outside)	1.188"	Yes (Body)
5-481X	1410	4.188" (Outside)	1.188"	Yes (Body)
5-3207X ⤴	1415	4.188" (Outside)	1.375"	No
SPL70X ⤴	1550	4.964" (Outside)	1.375"	No
SPL70-1X ⤴	1550	4.964" (Outside)	1.375"	Yes (Body)

Axle U-Joint List
The table below contains a list of the most common wheel joints along with their previous and/or additional part numbers.

Model	Series	Snap Ring Spread	Cap Dia.	Greaseable	Previous PNs
5-260X ⤴	1310WJ	2.188" (Inside)	1.062"	No	5-260-1X / 5-74X
5-760X ⤴	1310WJ	2.188" (Inside)	1.188"	No	5-997X
SPL55-3X ⤴	1480WJ	3.000" (Inside)	1.375"	No	5-332X / 5-88X / 5-806X
SPL55-4X ⤴	1480WJ	3.000" (Inside)	1.375"	Yes (Body)	5-807X
5006813 ⤴	1485WJ	2.90" (Inside)	1.375"	No
SPL70-4X ⤴	1550WJ	3.78" (Inside)	1.375"	Yes (Body)
CP750N	750N	4.747" (Outside)	1.626"	Yes (Body)

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U-Joint Grease
When it comes to u-joint lubrication, there are two types of u-joints, greaseable and non-greaseable. Non-greaseable u-joints don't have any external grease fitting where grease can be added meaning they come preloaded with enough grease to last their expected service life. Greaseable u-joints feature an external grease fitting or "zerk" fittings where grease can be added. Greasing a u-joint provides two main benefits, it replaces old grease with new grease for improved lubrication and pushes out any water or contaminants that have worked their way in past the seal. It is recommended to grease u-joints every 10,000 miles or every other oil change.

To add grease to a u-joint you will need a Grease Gun and some high performance synthetic grease. We highly recommend Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease because it is NLGI Certified to provide excellent lubrication in a wide range of temperatures, including high heat, and is resistant to washing out.

This U-joint guide is ©Copyright Crawlpedia.com - Please provide a link back to this page when copying.
Data is accurate to the best of our knowledge and is offered as-is with no guarantee.

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