HI,

I have a 1999 F150 4X4 and I'm about to change the u-joints on the rear driveshaft. The new u-joints have grease zerks the factory ones didn't, I'm trying to figure out which way to mount them. Do the zerks face forward, reverse, towards each other...? I was also wondering just how hard it is to remove the u-joints. I plan to use a vise to press the caps out.
Thanks in advance

 

On my98scabthey face each other.Still cant get grease gun on fitings. Had to drop shaft to grease u joints. Pump yours up before installing shaft.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking at doing it so they face each other I will grease up before reinstalling the drive shaft.

 

Zerk's orientate so they compress, not pull apart.

Hmmm, that doesn't sound clear.

The Zerk fitting needs to be in the web that gets compressed as the shaft turns, not in the web that would have the stress pulling on it.

Still a little foggy, or clear?

 

A little foggy. I've only done u-joints once before and the one I replaced had a zerk, so I put the new one in the same place. I'm not sure what you mean by compression. Thanks again

 

For maximum u-joint strength, you want the Zerk fitting to be under compression when the driveshaft is turning to drive the vehicle forward.



Assuming the driveshaft turns in this direction, the area where the Zerk fitting is, gets compressed.

If the Zerk was located at the other arrow, the forces are pulling apart at the u-joint, and the Zerk fitting hole will cause a weakness.

Better?

 

Thank you so much, I ended up figuring out what you meant earlier (and I see I was right). The u-joints are installed, and I can reach them with the grease gun and they are on the compression side.
Thanks again

 

When I replaced mine I used NEAPCO brand (made in USA) which had a grease zerk on the outside of one of the caps.

 

Never looked at it that way,we all ways put them in were we had room to get into grease them,the angle was what we looked it on install and come to think of it they were installed like you showed here.