Front Driveshaft U-joint Straps

Haven't seen this covered elsewhere . . . should I replace my existing u-joint straps, http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...oint+straps_1180572_-1&keyword=u-joint+straps) - which have the studs and nuts facing the away from the middle of the shaft on both ends, requiring the use of a box wrench for removal and installation (and in the case of the transfer case side of the front shaft, removal of the skid plate) - with these, http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...t-neapco_20270006-p?searchTerm=u-joint+straps, which presumably would make for much easier removal and installation as I could attack them from the middle of the shaft and not the ends. Thanks in advance.

 

Links not working.
If you're talking about changing the u-bolt style that goes through the yoke ears to the type of strap that uses small bolts that thread into the yoke I'd recommend against it. First, you'd need to replace the yokes and it may be hard/impossible to find the right spline count yoke that is threaded for the bolts. Second, the u-bolt style is much, much stronger. The strap style is a downgrade. Most people who want to upgrade go to the u-bolt style.

 

Thanks. I've edited the links so they hopefully work now. Does your recommendation still stand?

 

Yup. That's exactly what I thought you were talking about. Keep the u-bolt style used in the first link. Much stronger and as said above, to go to the strap style in the second link you would need to change yokes.

 

The Ubolt style takes a few more minutes to remove, but it's worth it IMO.

 

Thanks. I'll stick with the u-bolt system. Really appreciate your help.