U-joint girdle ?

rod · 01-24-2014, 12:59 PM

your thoughts on the aluminum rear U-joint caps/girdles which replace the U-bolts. are they good, bad, pain in the a** or ?
thanks Rod in AZ

Jim Kaekel · 01-24-2014, 01:46 PM

I wouldn't waste your money on those aluminum girdles. I had a set 30 years ago when I was young and not so smart. If you've got 1310 series U-joints/straps and need to upgrade, change over to 1350 series stuff. Mark Williams is the best. That my .02.

Myron Piatek · 01-24-2014, 07:46 PM

My upgrade from OEM style stuff included Spicer solid joints and a steel billet rear end yoke with u-bolts. Good variety of joint choices for Mopars and I'm sure there are plenty for other brands, especially GM.

Adger Smith · 01-25-2014, 01:55 AM

Back "In the Day" when you couldn't upgrade to 1350 it helped with U-joint life on my Stick Shift stocker. don't use them now with the 1350 stuff. Just don't see any problems with the current 1350, except they are heavier.

Dirk Olson · 01-25-2014, 08:44 PM

I agree with Jim, don't waste your money buy MW and forget it.

Dirk

Tom keedle · 01-25-2014, 09:19 PM

I've got a new set for a mopar if you can us 'em, I chickened out and bought a good yoke + ubolts for my rambler...

Joe Martens · 01-26-2014, 03:48 PM

Can't go wrong with Mark Williams!

Tod Lane · 01-26-2014, 05:13 PM

We are a Spicer OEM Distributor and I agree u-bolts are fine.
However don't over tighten you CAN distort the cap before you strip or snap the u bolts.
I see it fairly often in our shop.

Adger Smith · 01-26-2014, 05:52 PM

I think the yokes and U-joints have gotten better than they were ,way back when...less deflection now. That is why I use a good 1350 yoke and u-bolts now. Good advice, Tod

01-24-2014, 12:59 PM	#1
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 314 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	U-joint girdle ? your thoughts on the aluminum rear U-joint caps/girdles which replace the U-bolts. are they good, bad, pain in the a** or ? thanks Rod in AZ

01-24-2014, 01:46 PM	#2
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 133 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? I wouldn't waste your money on those aluminum girdles. I had a set 30 years ago when I was young and not so smart. If you've got 1310 series U-joints/straps and need to upgrade, change over to 1350 series stuff. Mark Williams is the best. That my .02. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

01-24-2014, 07:46 PM	#3
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? My upgrade from OEM style stuff included Spicer solid joints and a steel billet rear end yoke with u-bolts. Good variety of joint choices for Mopars and I'm sure there are plenty for other brands, especially GM. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

01-25-2014, 01:55 AM	#4
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? Back "In the Day" when you couldn't upgrade to 1350 it helped with U-joint life on my Stick Shift stocker. don't use them now with the 1350 stuff. Just don't see any problems with the current 1350, except they are heavier. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

01-25-2014, 08:44 PM	#5
Dirk Olson Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 199 Likes: 50 Liked 172 Times in 46 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? I agree with Jim, don't waste your money buy MW and forget it. Dirk __________________ Dirk Olson 5036 STK

01-25-2014, 09:19 PM	#6
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? I've got a new set for a mopar if you can us 'em, I chickened out and bought a good yoke + ubolts for my rambler... __________________ without losers,winning means nothing.

01-26-2014, 03:48 PM	#7
Joe Martens Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North Olmsted, Ohio Posts: 787 Likes: 626 Liked 196 Times in 69 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? Can't go wrong with Mark Williams! __________________ Joe Martens AA/Stock 3969

01-26-2014, 05:13 PM	#8
Tod Lane Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 152 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? We are a Spicer OEM Distributor and I agree u-bolts are fine. However don't over tighten you CAN distort the cap before you strip or snap the u bolts. I see it fairly often in our shop. __________________ Tod Lane Swartz & Lane 66 Nova Swartz & Lane 79 H/CM Trans Am

01-26-2014, 05:52 PM	#9
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: U-joint girdle ? I think the yokes and U-joints have gotten better than they were ,way back when...less deflection now. That is why I use a good 1350 yoke and u-bolts now. Good advice, Tod __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)