U-Joint Grease Fittings

[Dan D.]

My question of the day:

Did 57 drive shafts have grease fillings in the U-Joints? I have heard both ways - yes and no.

I read the lubrication chart in the AIM and there is no mention of greasing any drive shaft U-Joints. So from this I take it as - no grease fittings. Can anyone yea or nay this?

No big deal. Just trying to learn what is right and what isn't.

-Dan-

[Barry H.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Dan, No grease fittings on origional 57 driveshaft U-Joints.
Barry Holmes

[Alan D.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Typical driveshaft U Joint -

[Dan D.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Thanks Guys,

Alan, nice pic. Probably would never find an exact copy today.

If 1954 U-joints are the same, then I probably have a set. But my 57 had replacements when I bought it.

-Dan-

[Justin B.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

The late, great Dale Pearman produced a book "The 1958-1962 Corvette Chassis: Bloomington Gold Workshops" which consisted of research of his own low mileage original cars and other cars in this same condition. His book also encluded alot of help and information from John Hinckley and other people who actually worked on the assembly lines. These guys have helped us tremendously with their time and research. For those of you who don't recognize these names, you haven't been in the hobby very long. It wasn't uncommon for them to contribute many extremely interesting and informative articles in The Restorer magazine. Anyway, here is a quote from Dale's book: " Drive Shaft- GM calls it a propeller shaft. This item was delivered to the assembly line in plain steel with a yellow part number stenciled lengthwise. The two unpainted universal joints WITH grease fittings came with the driveshaft and therefore the part number refers to an assembly." My low mileage original car had grease fittings but that doesn't mean that they weren't replaced. I went back with U-Joints with grease fittings because I trust the knowledge of the authors. One other thing...I bought an NOS U-Joint in the old yellow and black box and it had grease fittings. I guess thats another thing that I may lose points on when I get it judged.

[Bill M.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

The two unpainted universal joints WITH grease fittings came with the driveshaft and therefore the part number refers to an assembly." My low mileage original car had grease fittings but that doesn't mean that they weren't replaced. I went back with U-Joints with grease fittings because I trust the knowledge of the authors. One other thing...I bought an NOS U-Joint in the old yellow and black box and it had grease fittings. I guess thats another thing that I may lose points on when I get it judged.

My '59 had greaseable u-joints. It is documented in the owner's manual.

[Gary C.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Dan,

57 u joints did not have grease fittings. Check the 1957 passenger car shop manual. Take U Joints apart to grease. Screenshots below from the shop manual.

57 Chevy Shop Manual Service U Joints_092812.jpg57 Chevy Shop Manual Service U Joints_pg2_092812.jpg57 Chevy Shop Manual Service U Joints_pg4_092812.jpg

Gary
....

[Joe L.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

My '59 had greaseable u-joints. It is documented in the owner's manual.

Bill-----

I agree, too. I believe that older model Corvettes, including C1s, did use drive shaft u-joints with grease fittings. Sometime in the C2 or C3 era this changed. All of the grease fitting type were the 1280 (later 1310) series u-joints which all C1 and C2 Corvettes used. 1968-70 Corvettes with manual transmission also used the 1280 u-joint. Just when the 1280 u-joints changed from grease fitting type to the non-grease fitting, I do not know.

All 1963-82 Corvettes used non grease fitting type u-joints on the half shafts, all 1971 and later Corvettes used non grease fitting type on the driveshafts, and all 1968-70 Corvettes with THM used non grease fitting type.

[Clem Z.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

here you go this is from my original 1959 corvette owner manual. zoom to 200% to read

[Clem Z.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

here i flipped the chassis picture

[Dan D.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Well, the plot thickens. Here are my opinions after digesting these conflicting posts;

1. Maybe some cars had Zerks and maybe some didn't. GM outsourced the shaft assembly (Spicer I assume), and they could have used U-joints from other suppliers if they could not supply the volume. The usage of these joints had to be tens of thousands/day across the GM line, and possibly Ford and Chrysler as well.

2. The U-joints used in service could be different from production line U-joints.

3. Zerk joints could have been added in later model years. Say 58 or 59.

4. If the lube chart in the AIM does not call out U-joint grease, then at least originally 56 and 57 cars did not have Zerks. I would think this would have remained throughout the end of 57 production or the AIM would have been updated.

5. My 54 is stored off site, but the next time I see it I will crawl under it and see if it has Zerks. I have owned this car since March 1961 and I believe the U-joints to be original.

This is an interesting discussion.

-Dan-

[Alan D.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Dan, here is another U Joint I have. Note the # 57 on it, could assume it's the year???
Almost all the U Joints I have acquire have been from C1 shafts, some even still have numbers on them.

If one could check the pn on the pictured u joint and see where it was used perhaps that will tell us something more. However it may be a casting number and not a pn. Also note the letters on the rubber seals - these again seem to appear on original joints.

Now I only know what a C1 looks like after that everyone knows more than me, I'm a C2 guy.

Side remark - the production U Joints on C2's were production only and no fittings.

[Gary C.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Alan,

What is the cast number? Am having a hard time making out the last two digits. Thanks,

Gary
....

[Joe L.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Dan, here is another U Joint I have. Note the # 57 on it, could assume it's the year???
Almost all the U Joints I have acquire have been from C1 shafts, some even still have numbers on them.

If one could check the pn on the pictured u joint and see where it was used perhaps that will tell us something more. However it may be a casting number and not a pn. Also note the letters on the rubber seals - these again seem to appear on original joints.

Now I only know what a C1 looks like after that everyone knows more than me, I'm a C2 guy.

Side remark - the production U Joints on C2's were production only and no fittings.

Alan-----

The "57" is most likely a forging die number and not a reference to year. The 7 digit number is a forging part number and most likely not a finished part number.

This particular piece was forged either at the Chevrolet Detroit Forge or the Chevrolet Tonawanda Forge.

[Joe L.]

Re: U-Joint Grease Fittings

Alan,

What is the cast number? Am having a hard time making out the last two digits. Thanks,

Gary
....

Gary-----

It looks like "3707063" to me.