Spicer Universal Joints User Manual

LUBRICA TION SPECIFICA TIONS
UNIVERSAL JOINTS

J3299-2-DSSP
JUNE 2008

Supersedes
J3299-1-HVTSS Dated

December 2007

LUBRICATION SPECIFICATIONS

Don’t Neglect Spicer® Driveshaft Lubrication

Lack of proper lubrication is the most common cause of premature failure of universal joint kits and slip
assemblies. Properly sized Spicer U-joints that are adequately relubricated at recommended intervals will normally
meet or exceed fleet operational requirements. Inadequate relube cycles and failure to lubricate the joints and slip
spline properly not only cause joint failures, but lead to other problems such as slip spline seizures. Proper
relubrication flushes the U-joints and removes abrasive contaminants from the U-joint bearings.

Warning - Inadequate lubrication can cause driveline failure which can result in separation of the driveline
from the vehicle. A separated driveline can result in serious injury or death. In order to avoid driveline failure,
including driveline separation, you must:

1) Carefully review the lubrication specifications in this manual.

2) Be sure that you use only approved lubricants.

3) Be sure that you relubricate at recommended intervals.

Lubrication Procedure For Universal Joints

Spicer replacement universal joint kits contain only enough grease to provide needle bearing protection during
storage. It is therefore necessary to completely lubricate each journal cross and bearing assembly prior to
assembly into the driveshaft yokes. Each journal cross lube reservoir should be fully packed with a grease as
recommended in Chart 4. Each bearing assembly should also be wiped with the same grease, filling all the cavities
between the rollers and applying a liberal grease coating on the bottom of each bearing cap. After the kits are
installed into the driveshaft yokes and prior to placing into service, relube as follows:

1. Using the proper lubricant, purge all four bearing seals of each U-joint. This flushes abrasive contaminants from
each bearing and assures all four bearings are filled properly. *Purge the seals. Spicer seals are made to be purged.

2. If any of the seals fail to purge, move the driveshaft from side to side while applying gun pressure. This allows
greater clearance on the thrust end of the bearing that is not purging (Photo 1).

3. Because of the superior sealing capability of the Spicer Seal design on the 1610, 1710, 1760, 1810, 1880,
SPL140, SPL170 and SPL250 Series, there will occasionally be one or more bearing seals of a U-joint that may not
purge. Release seal tension using the following seal tension release procedure:

* Note: Purge - The point at which fresh lubricant has flowed from the seal.

Quick Disconnect (Half Round Yoke)

On Quick Disconnect™ half round end yokes, Figure A, remove the U-joint from the yoke, while insuring cup
will not disengage from u-joint cross, while grease gun pressure is being applied. Reinstall the U-joint Kit, with new
bolts in the yoke, and torque to the specs shown in Chart 1.

SERIES BOLT P/N THREAD SIZE BOLT TORQUE

(LB-FT) (NM)

SPL90 6-73-412 .375-24 45-60 61-81
SPL140 5007417 M12x1.25-6g 115-135 156-183
SPL170 5007417 M12x1.25-6g 115-135 156-183
SPL250 5007417 M12x1.25-6g 115-135 156-183

1610 6-73-412 .375-24 45-60 61-81
1710 8-73-316 .500-20 115-135 156-183
1760 8-73-316 .500-20 115-135 156-183
1810 8-73-316 .500-20 115-135 156-183

Figure AChart 1

Warning - Half round bearing strap retaining bolts should not be reused.