Re: Universal Joint, ultramatic

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2013/1/8 16:06:06

The ball & trunnion joint is a fine design and gives very long service as long as the boot stays intact to contain the grease, and the joint is repacked with fresh grease occasionally. As well and Packard, Chrylser use them for decades without issues. The smaller (Clipper) joint is still available and as Randy says replacing it is the best choice if in fact it needs it. Otherwise repack the grease and install a new boot. It's the larger unit for the senior cars that is nearly extinct.

PS - interesting side story which came to me second hand. I was told every Detroit joint ever made was made in Pottstown, PA at NEAPCO. They had the license and everybody reboxed NEAPCO. In the 80's their accountant told them they could not have their "archives"...a room of obsolete u-joints. They had 2000 of the Packard Senior rear joints which also fit my 48 Chrysler 8. Price was $5 each. I had them send me 50 to confirm application. It was. I drove to Pa to work a deal on the remaining inventory and was told the quanity was 0. How could that be? Turned out Iran did not have the capacity to produce u-joint for oilfield shafts...but could make shaft. Iran bought the Senior Series rears with the intent of making the shafts to fit them.