Dana 27 Driveshaft U-joints

Hey all, I am trying to get some high quality replacement U joints for my front axle. I am looking at the Moog 378, 365, or 361... I think they will all fit but I am not entirely sure. I have not replaced u-joints with the inner c-clip before. Please look at my pics below, first where are the c-clips, they don't seem obvious (I thought they are on the inside of the housing) and any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

Looks like you have the small u-joints used with the V6. Most people ditch those and upgrade to the bigger ones which are much easier to find.

But yes, the clips are internal ones.

 

The clips are on the caps against the inside of the yoke, the first step down is the clip, the next one is the cap, then the seal. the opening for them faces the shaft. You should be able to pop them off with a screwdrver. They can fly when removing them.

 

Your SIX STATE Dist. should have the SPICER replacements on the shelf or can get them . No reason to go to the trouble of change to larger more common u-joint.The stock ones work just fine. If you don't have the ability to change them Six States can do them for you. Good luck, mike

 

It isn't the quality or the size of the joint that is the biggest reason to change it out. The quality of the shaft slip joint is like low grade China scrap. Most of these drivelines are just junk and not worth swapping to new joints. Both size joints are available on RocAuto also.

 

Thanks for the help everyone, I ordered a set of Moog 361's to replace them.

 

Is it always a good idea to just replace the Spicer U joints? Or can the Original ones be serviced? How did the Moog replacements work out for you?

 

Two other important things to remember when changing the original Dana 27 u-joints.

1. The easiest way to change Dana 27 front axle u-joints is to have access to a hydroloic press. You can still do it with C-clamps and a vise, but it's much tougher.

2. The end caps on the original u-joints are slightly different sizes. In other words, the two caps that ride in the driveshaft yoke are slightly smaller that the two caps that ride in the axle yoke. So, if you do have a nice press, like me, and you get careless (stupid?), like me, and you match-up the bigger cap into the driveshaft yoke, like me, then you bend (ruin) the yoke on the original driveshaft, like me. Then you have to upgrade to a brand new driveshaft with the more common 1310 u-joints, like me, AND upgrade the Transfer Case Yoke AND the Front Axle Yoke to accept the new 1310 u-joints.... don't ask me how I know all this.

Call Gabe at Northern Drivetrain in Wisconsin, he has both yokes for the Front Axle and the Transfer Case if you want to upgrade to 1310 u-joints regardless of whether you screw it up, like me, or you just want to upgrade to the beefier/more common 1310 u-joint.

 

never ever used a press for u joints . always old school . hammer / vise / sockets

 

I think you just saved me a LOT of money/time/anguish.

 

The caps are different sizes? I never knew that.

 

Me neither

 

If u-joints and slip joints seem weak there could be a good reason for it. Well-designed mechanical systems have a weakest point in a place that is easy to repair. If the drive shaft an u-joints are upgraded then the system will fail at the next-weakest point. That may not be as easy to replace as a u-joint.

 

I did not see a different size specified but I got ones that were specified for "1968 CJ5 V6"....and they were too big.

Do you know the stock number(s) on RockAuto for the smaller U-joint for the V6 equipped Jeeps?

I don't need top-of-the-line either---I'll just make a periodic rounds with the greaser.
NOTE: they do have sealed, non serviceable/non greaseable U-Joints but ones with a Zerk fitting are supreme IMO.

 

Yes.

I actually got lucky the first time I installed the u-joint (50% chance if you're not paying attention, like me) and I installed it properly. But I installed it with the grease zerk on the wrong side. So I dis-assembled it, then re-assembled it the WRONG WAY and bent the yoke. Perfect!

 

@Biggyniner and @Hellion what did you end up ordering for OEM fit with two different sized caps? It looks like the Moog 361 (Summit) would be the correct size but the clips are on the outside of the cap whereas the OEM ones are on the inside, right?

Bearing Cap Diameter (in) Axis 1:1.000 in.

Width Including Clips (in) Axis 1:1.719 in.

Bearing Cap Diameter (in) Axis 2:1.063 in.

Width Overall (in) Axis 2:2.438 in.

What about these at K/W - are they both the same?:
2-7/16 assembly length (2) 1.00" + (2) 1.06" bearing caps) + 2 int + 2 ext snap rings