vintaylor 90 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Hi Guys, I found a parts supplier close to where I work that has stocks loads of new old parts. He's dedicating some time to looking through a few of his old catalogues for cross references for my 79 s2. He's come across a cross reference in an old QH catalogue for Universal Joints part number QL403. Having a quick look through my parts manual I have only seem to come across universal joints used for the rear radius arms. Is this correct? Here's a link to show what the part looks like - http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/754948/6283476/0/1214993790/Universal_joint.jpg Is this correct? Cheers , Vin Quote Vin Taylor Link to post Share on other sites
matk 17 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Info from the Yahoo S1S2S3 group courtesy of Tim Engel. Any use? U-Joints -- Esprit, Elite, Eclat Lotus.................................. A075D6004WH TRW.................................. 20021 Hardy Spicer (aka GKN).... 94/548450 (OEM grade) GKN (aka Hardy Spicer).... HS163 (replacement grade) Dana Spicer......................... 5-153X Hardy Spicer has two grades of u-joints: 1) The OEM grade u-joints are approx $60. 2) The GKN HS163 replacement grade is much less expensive, but you get what you pay for. Neither has a grease fitting, but that's not a bad thing. Just by observation (no supporting data), the available U-jounts that provide the longest service life don't have grease fittings, while those with fittings tend not to last as long. Dana Spicer has a HD grade that is similar to the Hardy-Spicer OEM grade, except it has a grease fitting. An exception to the note above, it's service life is similar to that of the Hardy-Spicer units'. Part No = 5-153X. Cost = $15 at NAPA in the USA. Neapco (made in USA, try cross-ref.) available at Pep Boys. Neapco's have a zerk grease fitting in the center of one end cap. The folks at Dave Bean said they've *never* seen Neapco fail. Do not even look at UMB joints, no matter how cheap! Note: any price data given above is old and parts are probably more expensive by now, but the relative price relationships still hold. Use as a guide only... YMMV. Grease every 5,000 miles. Esprit--------4 zerks on half shafts. Elite/ Eclat--4 zerks on half shafts & 2 zerks on the drive shaft. Front drive shaft fitting is accessible thru a small hole about 1 foot behind the point where the transmission disappears into the chassis. Inspect the opposing yokes, and you will find that the sides facing the grease fitting have a slight hollow to them that just clears the fitting. Be certain you have those hollows properly facing the fitting during re-assembly, or the fitting will get snapped off the first time the joint flexes to the limits of the suspension's range. Quote Regards Mat Link to post Share on other sites
vintaylor 90 Posted June 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Hi Matt, that's a lot of information for such a small part! lol The parts supplier matched it up with a part number from a QH catalogue. The part he found is branded KYM . here's a link to a similar item http://www.mecan-auto-tn.com/produits/4c863bb657c37346099309.jpg I don't have my camera with me to take an actual photo of the part i've bought. The part number is KY-1100 which should be a direct replacement for QL 403. Vin Quote Vin Taylor Link to post Share on other sites
esprit s2 94 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Personally I wouldn't buy U/J's without a grease nipple on them. I used to grease my Esprit's U/Js every 6 months, especially the ones on the left hand side of the car near the exhaust. I was amazed how much grease I had to put in every time! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
matk 17 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 From everything I've read it's very easy to get a UJ that fits........ However.......... The suspension loading through the UJs is quite large (no upper links), so low quality parts usually don't last that long before they need replacing. Personally I'd stick with Tim's recommendations, the price saving is not worth it if you end up having to replace again very quickly. Quote Regards Mat Link to post Share on other sites
vintaylor 90 Posted June 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Personally I wouldn't buy U/J's without a grease nipple on them. I used to grease my Esprit's U/Js every 6 months, especially the ones on the left hand side of the car near the exhaust. I was amazed how much grease I had to put in every time! Hi Paul, It looks like mine does come with a grease nipple . will take a photo and post it on this thread Vin Personally I wouldn't buy U/J's without a grease nipple on them. I used to grease my Esprit's U/Js every 6 months, especially the ones on the left hand side of the car near the exhaust. I was amazed how much grease I had to put in every time! Have managed to take a picture off my phone. Here is the part I have bought Vin Quote Vin Taylor Link to post Share on other sites
comem47 229 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Be certain you have those hollows properly facing the fitting during re-assembly, or the fitting will get snapped off the first time the joint flexes to the limits of the suspension's range. I can't remember if the fittings will get snapped off, but I seem to remember the indexing the U-joint with the nipple pointing either in or out results in either an easy access for the grease gun or very difficult or impossible. But this thought is only from my failing memory. YMMV Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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