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Thread: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints

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    Default Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    I almost rebuilt my spare driveshaft last week, using some new AC Delco U joints I got as part of a parts bin I bought from a guy that sold his Jeep. I really don't like breaking down on trails, I try to do a lot of prep with good parts to avoid it. Crap parts are their own reward, so with that in mind I stopped and ordered some Spicer joints from Amazon that got here today. AC Delco is a common name, good one I thought, a lot of the parts in my Ford are AC Delco from the factory. I decided to compare them visually and by weight. The Spicer one has the blue seals on the caps:

    aside from the cast numbers and letters on the Spicer joint they are visually more similar than not.

    The retaining clips come in a marked bag with Spicer, a generic zip loc with AC Delco. Spicer clips are shinier.

    The Spicer joint is .6 heavier with essentially the same dimensions.

    The weight difference leads me to believe the Spicer joint is a stronger alloy, and I'm glad I didn't use the AD Delco joints. I'm putting the Delco in my trail spare bag, but I have another Spicer one on order to replace it.

  2. The Following Member Says Thanks to Java For This Post:

    Brian (September 13th, 2017)

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    Default Re: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    Cleaned up the driveshaft sections, repainted them and put in the new joints. Just incase anyone doesn't know it, when you carry spare u joints or driveshafts you either have to pre-grease them or carry a grease gun and do it on the trail. I pre-grease and tape the caps on, both on the spare shaft and the spare individual joint. I also wrap most of the spare parts I carry in old towels and plastic bags, that way when I have to use them I have a towel and a bag to clean up and pack up the old stuff.

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    Default Re: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    The Spicer joint is a much better joint.
    Look at the zirk boss in the Spicer joint.
    It has more material than the Delco joint.
    This leads to failure. As it's now a week point.
    Spicer build this area up.
    As well your right better alloys make a better cross.
    As well better surfaces for the bearings to ride on.
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    Default Re: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    The shoulder by the cap on the spicer looks bigger to me as well.

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    Default Re: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    Not going to argue which is better but weight does not make a better alloy. The weight difference (.03lbs, almost nothing) is no doubt an irrivelent amount of extra material somewhere. I'd be willing to bet that if you bought 10 you'd see more than that in variation within the group.

    Spicer would be be my choice but not for any reason I could back up with data, just a name I'm more comfortable with.

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    Default Re: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    FWIW I did weigh two Spicers and two AC Delcos and got the same weights for both of each. I'm the same, went with Spicer just by gut. I have an AC Delco here, and I think I have the Spicer one that got whacked around... if I can find it I'm going to cut them both in half, maybe quaters. Probably just useless garage science, but I want to see the insides, have a saw...

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    Default Re: Spicer U Joints vs AC Delco U Joints



    I am a BIG TIME spicer fan however, they , over the years have outsourced to China. It's on the box. I still would choose spicer/Dana over any "parts store" brand. Napa also used to sell a darn good one. In all honesty can't say I've used AC Delco joints. With that said, all joints will break with the proper mix of skinny pedal and sudden traction (except my whopping 25 horse power beast of an engine)

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