Different Sized Bearings On U-Joints

jackedup03 · 11-21-2009, 07:26 PM

I am changing out my u-joints, and the new ones have 2 bearings (across from each other) that are slightly too big. I'm afraid to beat on them or I may break the hole.
Has anyone else had this problem? It's the same issue on both ends of the driveshaft. The new joints have 2 bearings the right size, and 2 that are slightly larger. My tranny yoke end has 4 holes the smaller size, and my differntial end has 4 holes the smaller size.
Do I need to buy 2 more joints and mix and match the bearings? The auto parts store swears that this should fix my truck, but I don't see how. They even checked above and below years to see if the part numbers were the same... they are.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

jackedup03 · 11-21-2009, 07:27 PM

Oh, by the way, these are the Duralast Gold u-joints from Autozone.

dennis461 · 11-21-2009, 08:15 PM

Which parts store?
What part number did you buy?
.
The part store is only as good as it's database.
Bought a driveshaft center bearng support today From Autozone,
Advance auto parts was trying to sell me the wrong one.

jackedup03 · 11-21-2009, 08:46 PM

Bought them from Autozone. Part # 2-4900DG.
I'm just baffled. Trying to think of another way to fix this without having to go buy 2 more tomorrow and switch the earing cups to make 2 workable joints.
I can't say that I've had a lot of problems with this truck. I'd say that I've had pretty good luck with it. I try to do as much as I can, but it always seems to be something goofy like this.

Good thing you caught them before you bought the wrong support, Dennis. It's frustrating at times, especially when you get it, get home, tear it all down, and then figure out it's the wrong part. *sigh*

dennis461 · 11-21-2009, 09:21 PM

Seems the duralast is an Autozone exclusive, so the part number won;t cross reference.
Seems automatic and manual takes different u-joints according to Autozone.
but
rockauto does not ask which tranny.
.

**Mac** · 11-21-2009, 09:40 PM

I know NAPA carries the so called conversion joints that have the 1310/1330 bearings just like you describe. Not going to look tonight but they are common.
Dave

jackedup03 · 11-23-2009, 08:14 PM

Guys,
Turns out that the idiot at Autozone screwed up. Of course, I didn't find out it was the wrong part until I had the driveshaft out and apart. Fortunately, I was able to bum a ride to O'Reilly's and they had the part I needed. When I mentioned what happened at Autozone, they really didn't have anything nice to say about it. O'Reilly's just gained a customer here.
Got the shft back in fine, and took it out for a spin today on the highway. I am super thrilled, and now I won't have to pay someone to do it for me ever again! There isn't any vibration or sqeeling at all.
By the way, the O'Reilly's part nuber is #354. Precision Universal Joints. Made in USA, not in China like the Autozone crap!
Thanks for all your help, and good luck on your next projects,
Bill

11-21-2009, 07:26 PM	#1
jackedup03 New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: L4 2.3L Class: 2WD with 5" Suspension Lift Used For: Daily Driver / Head Turner Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Different Sized Bearings On U-Joints I am changing out my u-joints, and the new ones have 2 bearings (across from each other) that are slightly too big. I'm afraid to beat on them or I may break the hole. Has anyone else had this problem? It's the same issue on both ends of the driveshaft. The new joints have 2 bearings the right size, and 2 that are slightly larger. My tranny yoke end has 4 holes the smaller size, and my differntial end has 4 holes the smaller size. Do I need to buy 2 more joints and mix and match the bearings? The auto parts store swears that this should fix my truck, but I don't see how. They even checked above and below years to see if the part numbers were the same... they are. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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11-21-2009, 07:27 PM	#2
jackedup03 New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: L4 2.3L Class: 2WD with 5" Suspension Lift Used For: Daily Driver / Head Turner Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Oh, by the way, these are the Duralast Gold u-joints from Autozone.
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11-21-2009, 08:15 PM	#3
dennis461 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Waterford, South Jersey Year: 1996 1991 Make: Ford Jeep Model: Ranger Supercab Cherokee Engine: 3.0l Class: 4x4 Used For: My son's daily driver now. Posts: 347 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	which store? Which parts store? What part number did you buy? . The part store is only as good as it's database. Bought a driveshaft center bearng support today From Autozone, Advance auto parts was trying to sell me the wrong one.
	Tweet

11-21-2009, 08:46 PM	#4
jackedup03 New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: L4 2.3L Class: 2WD with 5" Suspension Lift Used For: Daily Driver / Head Turner Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Bought them from Autozone. Part # 2-4900DG. I'm just baffled. Trying to think of another way to fix this without having to go buy 2 more tomorrow and switch the earing cups to make 2 workable joints. I can't say that I've had a lot of problems with this truck. I'd say that I've had pretty good luck with it. I try to do as much as I can, but it always seems to be something goofy like this. Good thing you caught them before you bought the wrong support, Dennis. It's frustrating at times, especially when you get it, get home, tear it all down, and then figure out it's the wrong part. sigh __________________ 2003 Ford Ranger XLT with a 5" Suspension Lift JackedUp03
	Tweet

11-21-2009, 09:21 PM	#5
dennis461 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Waterford, South Jersey Year: 1996 1991 Make: Ford Jeep Model: Ranger Supercab Cherokee Engine: 3.0l Class: 4x4 Used For: My son's daily driver now. Posts: 347 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	Seems the duralast is an Autozone exclusive, so the part number won;t cross reference. Seems automatic and manual takes different u-joints according to Autozone. but rockauto does not ask which tranny. .
	Tweet

11-21-2009, 09:40 PM	#6
Mac Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: C. Wisconsin Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Ext Cab Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Street Used For: Summer Beater Posts: 4,399 Rep Power: 55 iTrader: (2)	I know NAPA carries the so called conversion joints that have the 1310/1330 bearings just like you describe. Not going to look tonight but they are common. Dave
	Tweet

11-23-2009, 08:14 PM	#7
jackedup03 New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: L4 2.3L Class: 2WD with 5" Suspension Lift Used For: Daily Driver / Head Turner Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	It's all over... u-joints changed and the world is all better now! Guys, Turns out that the idiot at Autozone screwed up. Of course, I didn't find out it was the wrong part until I had the driveshaft out and apart. Fortunately, I was able to bum a ride to O'Reilly's and they had the part I needed. When I mentioned what happened at Autozone, they really didn't have anything nice to say about it. O'Reilly's just gained a customer here. Got the shft back in fine, and took it out for a spin today on the highway. I am super thrilled, and now I won't have to pay someone to do it for me ever again! There isn't any vibration or sqeeling at all. By the way, the O'Reilly's part nuber is #354. Precision Universal Joints. Made in USA, not in China like the Autozone crap! Thanks for all your help, and good luck on your next projects, Bill
	Tweet

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