U-Joint Upgrade

[Malachi23]

I did a search on the subject matter and did not get a thread on this...is there anything worth talking about, or is it just a OEM replacement?

I drive a 2022 Gladiator Mojave.

Thank you.

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[BlueScapegoat]

I haven't had to do any u-joints on my Gladiator yet, but on my older Jeeps I just buy sealed non-greaseable Spicer joints. I've had the best luck with those.

CTM makes bearingless unions that are very robust.

RCV makes constant velocity joint axle shafts that eliminate the velocity changes in the drivetrain that occurs with u-joints when the wheel is cut, and have a strong track record.

 

[Malachi23]

Thanks for the fodder BlueScapegoat! Not familiar with any of these products. This is my first Jeep and plan to upgrade parts as they wear. I have heard a couple of clunks in the back when moving from reverse to drive and thought I should look into it...

Off the cuff and looking at the products, it seems like the Spicer option is right for me.

Thanks again!

 

[DBravo]

Thanks for the fodder BlueScapegoat! Not familiar with any of these products. This is my first Jeep and plan to upgrade parts as they wear. I have heard a couple of clunks in the back when moving from reverse to drive and thought I should look into it...

Off the cuff and looking at the products, it seems like the Spicer option is right for me.

Thanks again!

I too have an occasional -clunk- when reversing without a strong foot on the brake or sometimes when letting off the gas and then getting right back on it again. Hasn't gotten any worse and I don't have experience with u-joints or swapping them out. Watching for now as I really don't want to start a fishing expedition with repair shop. 2020 Overland purchased new, 56k miles currently.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Thanks for the fodder BlueScapegoat! Not familiar with any of these products. This is my first Jeep and plan to upgrade parts as they wear. I have heard a couple of clunks in the back when moving from reverse to drive and thought I should look into it...

Off the cuff and looking at the products, it seems like the Spicer option is right for me.

Thanks again!

I'd have to crawl back under there to look, but I'm 99% sure all the Gladiators are equipped with CV (Rzeppa) joints on all driveshafts, not u-joints. An upgrade path would be to replace the driveshafts with heavier duty units that utilize u-joints, particularly a one piece driveshaft in the rear from the likes of Tom Woods or Adams. Also something you might not want to do without at least adjustable upper arms in the rear depending on your lift height. U-joint phasing is a point of consideration, the pinion will need to be angled appropriately.

The front axle shafts, I believe, still utilize u-joints, and more to what I was speaking of in my first reply.

Again, I've only had my Gladiator for 10 months or so, so maybe need some better up to date advice. Up until now my Jeeps have been much older.

 

[Malachi23]

Thanks again BlueScapegoat. I made an assumption about the clunk based on past history with other vehicles, so you may be spot on....

 

[jac04]

A clunk from the rear is fairly common especially with the factory Tru-Lok rear diffs. Both my JKR and JTM have a little clunk when going from D to R or vice versa and also if you are in a low gear and are aggressively on/off the throttle.

If you have Selec-Trac, your front axles will be equipped with CV joints instead of u-joints.

 

[Malachi23]

Thanks for the insight, I will just have to have it checked out by a trained professional

 

[Hootbro]

My Rubicon has the same E-locker setup as your Mojave and it clunks also. Just the nature of the beast. I went through both taking the rear cover off and verifying the pinion backlash was within spec and even taking it in for a warranty visit and told the same.

 

[Malachi23]

Thanks for that insight! I will relax now

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