C2 Universal Joints

[Richard S.]

I have an early (second week Dec 62) 63 340HP car. I am looking to replace both my propeller (2) and my half shaft (4) universal joints. Although they are only a few years old they are out of the shafts and I would rather just put new joints in place of the old. Appreciate if someone could suggest a good source for these parts who has recently purchased and installed these joints and had a good experience. I know many of the vett parts come from oversea with uncertain characteristics.
Thanks Rich

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Richard,
My recommendation would be to source Spicer manufactured joints WITHOUT the zerk fittings.

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

I like the GM OEM Rear Axle Universal Joint 12471503. It looks really close to the original and has the black seals. The latest Spicers, I have seen, use blue seals in the joints.

One is pictured below;


Richard
I have an early (forth week Dec 62) 63 340HP car.
After installing the half shafts recheck the bolts that retain the axle shafts after a couple miles.
I treat them like knockoff wheels. Doesn't hurt to recheck. Especially when the 63's do not use the french locks like other years.
Mine were slightly loose when I rechecked them. Consider loctite if you are worried about having the car judged.
Rick

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Thanks Lief and Rich for the information. Rich I like the original look of the unit you have shown. But, not sure what that part number is. Can you provide more detail.
Thanks
Rich Sheridan

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

The joint shown is Part number 12471503

Also known as;
89059111
26049843
Some may be old part numbers.


You can purchase the Part number 12471503 from Amazon but is is obviously not the same as the GM part.
I purchased mine from Ebay.
Current auctions range from $42.83 with free shipping to $134.07.
Typically show the GM box in the picture.
Best of luck.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

I like the GM OEM Rear Axle Universal Joint 12471503. It looks really close to the original and has the black seals. The latest Spicers, I have seen, use blue seals in the joints.

One is pictured below;


Richard
I have an early (forth week Dec 62) 63 340HP car.
After installing the half shafts recheck the bolts that retain the axle shafts after a couple miles.
I treat them like knockoff wheels. Doesn't hurt to recheck. Especially when the 63's do not use the french locks like other years.
Mine were slightly loose when I rechecked them. Consider loctite if you are worried about having the car judged.
Rick

Rick------


The GM #12471503 is long since GM discontinued. The currently available replacement is GM #89059111.

I believe that all of the more recently available GM u-joints (as well were many GM u-joints in days-of-old) were manufactured by Spicer.

The Spicer u-joints with the blue cap seals are their heavy duty type with higher water intrusion resistance, primarily intended for 4WD vehicles. They can be used in Corvettes, though, if the color doesn't bother one.

The best available lubed-for-life (non-greasable) Spicer u-joints are what I use and recommend. In fact, I unwisely had installed greasable type Spicer u-joints on my half shafts quite a few years ago. The car has not been on the road ever since so the u-joints are essentially brand new. Nevertheless, I'm going to remove the half shafts from the car and have the u-joints replaced with the aforementioned.

By the way, the u-joints available from GM are FAR more expensive than those available through Spicer. The GM #89059111 has a GM list of $118. The best Spicer are about $25-30. I have to wonder if Spicer makes these u-joints that they supply to GM any different than the ones they sell under their own brand. I can say this: they APPEAR exactly the same.

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Thanks Joe for all that detail. I just today checked at a local Chevy dealer and found that they still can obtain the GM 89029327 units and the GM 89029305 units (half shaft). So I ordered just one for the drive shaft to be delivered on Monday. I though I would have a look at just one unit. The price they gave me was $35.79 for the GM 89029327. So lets see what happens on Monday. But no picture of what I might receive.
Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Thanks Joe for all that detail. I just today checked at a local Chevy dealer and found that they still can obtain the GM 89029327 units and the GM 89029305 units (half shaft). So I ordered just one for the drive shaft to be delivered on Monday. I though I would have a look at just one unit. The price they gave me was $35.79 for the GM 89029327. So lets see what happens on Monday. But no picture of what I might receive.
Rich

Rich-------


The GM #89029327, aka ACDelco 45U0105, is an aftermarket quality, 1310 series u-joint, not an OEM/PRODUCTION quality u-joint. It is available through both AC Delco and GM dealers. It is a conventional, forged steel bodied u-joint and is very similar to the original in configuration (it does not have the circular "depression" in the center of the body but not all originals did, either; my original 1969 driveshaft u-joints did not have the "depression"). I believe the 89029327 are actually manufactured by Federal-Mogul. They are not a bad u-joint and are probably equivalent in strength to the originals. However, I'm sorry to hear that you had to pay 36 bucks for one. These u-joints can be obtained from competitive AC Delco dealers for about 15-18 bucks. If you get the Federal-Mogul (Moog) product, which I believe is exactly the same piece), much less.

The last available OEM/PRODUCTION quality, 1310 series u-joint I have record of is GM #26015249. It is discontinued, though, and there may or may not be a supercessive part number. This u-joint is manufactured by Spicer. The body of this u-joint is forged powder metal. This is a lot stronger than the conventional forged described above and is what I greatly prefer albeit that their configuration is significantly different than originals. Whether or not GM still has available this type of 1310 series u-joint, they can be obtained from Spicer.

The half shafts utilize 1350 series u-joints. The GM #89029305 is, once again, an aftermarket quality u-joint. Its characteristics are exactly the same as I described above for the 89029327. Once again, it's likely a fine u-joint and at least as strong as originals. However, for a half shaft u-joint I prefer something better than the originals. That is currently GM #89059111. This is an OEM/PRODUCTION quality u-joint. It is manufactured by Spicer with the forged, powder metal body. By the way, the GM #89029305 carries a current GM list price of $31.14 (much less through Delco dealers). The GM #89059111 has a current GM list price of $118.20. You don't suppose they're the same, do you?

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Below is a picture of the GM #89059111:



One distinguishing feature of quality U-Joint is they come with a selection of retaining clips, shown in the bags.
These are for setting up the joint in the center of the shaft and to allow for the correct end play.
Typically in the .002 to .004 range.
I have never actually observed anyone to setting them up correctly.
Typically it's hammer them in and that's it.
Most the time there is no axial play left in the joint because the ears are bent in the removal or installation process.
Although I have used used parts to retain the originality I typically recommend new it they are available.
Mostly because the joint ears are bent.

Joe;
How do you identify joints with the forged, powder metal? I do know this prices is how the connecting rods are made for the LSX motors.
Did you find this information in the specifications or is it identifiable by the way they look?
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Below is a picture of the GM #89059111:



One distinguishing feature of quality U-Joint is they come with a selection of retaining clips, shown in the bags.
These are for setting up the joint in the center of the shaft and to allow for the correct end play.
Typically in the .002 to .004 range.
I have never actually observed anyone to setting them up correctly.
Typically it's hammer them in and that's it.
Most the time there is no axial play left in the joint because the ears are bent in the removal or installation process.
Although I have used used parts to retain the originality I typically recommend new it they are available.
Mostly because the joint ears are bent.

Joe;
How do you identify joints with the forged, powder metal? I do know this prices is how the connecting rods are made for the LSX motors.
Did you find this information in the specifications or is it identifiable by the way they look?
Rick

Rick-------

I can tell just by looking at them. The one you picture is forged powder metal. The configuration of the u-joint body for traditional forged steel is significantly different. The forged powder metal body is round with extensions for the fingers.

Yes, forged powder metal has been used for small block connecting rods, too. In fact, they were first used in Corvettes for the 1993 model year LT1. Later, they replaced most 1968+ Gen I and II small block connecting rods, including the much prized SHP "pink rods". At the time of the supercession, the powder metal rods were about half the cost of the pink rods, much more weight consistent AND they are about 2-3 times as strong. So, their superceding earlier rods was a no-brainer. The part number is GM #10108688 and they are still available for a current GM list of about 75 bucks. LS and LT series small blocks (i.e. Gen III and Gen IV) also use forged powder metal connecting rods but not the same ones as Gen I and II.

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Joe and Rick
Thanks for the info. But I have some on order from Chevy so dollars are spent. I will just have to wait to see how this plays out. Whether or not they have a clip set is unknown at this point. But the ears on my drive shaft are straight. So a clip set would be nice otherwise I will have to look around for a set with a few choices. Although the universals I took out looked ok in the car after removal I noticed that they were leaking some grease. Anyway they are out and I will install new units check the axial motion and if lucky I will have enough clips to set the motion.
Thanks again for the part numbers if the units I purchased do not fit properly for any reason I will be looking for a new source of parts. The part numbers and source for parts is the most difficult part of repairs anymore.
Regards
Rich Sheridan

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Joe and Rick
Thanks for the info. But I have some on order from Chevy so dollars are spent. I will just have to wait to see how this plays out. Whether or not they have a clip set is unknown at this point. But the ears on my drive shaft are straight. So a clip set would be nice otherwise I will have to look around for a set with a few choices. Although the universals I took out looked ok in the car after removal I noticed that they were leaking some grease. Anyway they are out and I will install new units check the axial motion and if lucky I will have enough clips to set the motion.
Thanks again for the part numbers if the units I purchased do not fit properly for any reason I will be looking for a new source of parts. The part numbers and source for parts is the most difficult part of repairs anymore.
Regards
Rich Sheridan

Rich------


I do not think that the GM #89029327 u-joint will be supplied with multiple sets of end clips; just a single set.

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

I have pictures of at least two of the GM U-joints.

Part number 12471503


And GM Part number 7834387


This is the only one of the GM 7834387 u-joints that I have with the Spicer logo on the trunnion cap.
I have three others without the logo on the cap. All are still in the carboard tube with the metal or plastic caps.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

I have pictures of at least two of the GM U-joints.

Part number 12471503


And GM Part number 7834387


This is the only one of the GM 7834387 u-joints that I have with the Spicer logo on the trunnion cap.
I have three others without the logo on the cap. All are still in the carboard tube with the metal or plastic caps.
Rick

Rick-------


That's not a Spicer logo on the cap of the GM #7834387. That's a Saginaw Division logo. That u-joint was manufactured internally by GM. In days-of-old, GM did actually make some u-joints internally and also had some manufactured by Spicer.

The 1350 series u-joint used for the half shafts was superceded many times.

GM #3823102 > January, 1965>
GM #3851520>November, 1965>
GM #3877040>January, 1966 >
GM #3889696>April, 1983>
GM #374246>September, 1993>
GM #7834387>July, 1996>
GM #26049843>February,2000>
GM #12471503>
GM #88964507>
GM #89059111

Note the "T" on the u-joint body depression. That probably denotes the Tonawanda Forge which was operated by the Saginaw Division of GM during the period that the GM #7834387 was being manufactured.

Also understand that all of the above are OEM quality u-joints. Other u-joints were offered through the Delco parts system which were primarily aftermarket quality u-joints. However, sometimes OEM quality u-joints were also available through the Delco parts system.

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 Universal Joints

Joe
I should have the parts this week and will install what arrives if it appears correct. I will pass along the detail after installation. Amazing all the detail you have put together on the history of these units. I am not able to locate part numbers any longer and some times the source for most parts for my old 63 unless I go to one of the major corvette parts suppliers.
Thanks
Rich.