{"id":67598,"date":"2021-12-01T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/?p=67598"},"modified":"2021-12-01T18:01:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T00:01:00","slug":"understanding-u-joints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/understanding-u-joints\/","title":{"rendered":"TECH GUIDE: Understanding U-Joints"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When building a custom street rod or muscle car with driveline components from multiple sources, it is not uncommon to encounter u-joints of different sizes.Because your vehicle is now a custom application, going to the local auto parts store and looking up a u-joint by year-make-model won&#8217;t work. But don&#8217;t despair; with some simple measurements, it&#8217;s possible to determine the required u-joints. <\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Measuring your slip yoke.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">Measure OE slip yoke with a precision tool to determine which yoke you need.<\/span> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">length, journal size &amp; U-joint series are critical dimensions requiring accurate measurement.<\/span> <span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong><em>Important tips to follow<\/em><\/strong><\/span> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some slip yokes have missing splines &#8211; include the missing spline in your count or count the splines on the transmission output shaft to be accurate.<\/li>\n<li>Also, check if the OE yoke has a counterbore and whether the transmission tail housing uses a bushing or roller bearing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Here is a helpful diagram chart for how to measure, size &amp; identify what Yoke you have.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p> <span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>\u00a0 Hover over images to enlarge<\/em><\/span> <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-51010\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Image-3-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-51011\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Image-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"237\" height=\"235\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0 <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-51012\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Image-8-300x145.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"145\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-51008\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Image-4-300x238.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"238\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-51013\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Image-6-300x274.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"274\" \/> <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 class=\"subhead\">How to Determine a U-Joint Series<\/h4>\n<table style=\"height: 287px;\" width=\"590\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\">U-Joint Series<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\">E U-Joint Width (inches)<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\">F U-Joint Cap Diameter (inches)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3R<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span class=\"annotated\" style=\"color: #800000;\">2.562<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1.125<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1310<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3.219<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1.062<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1330<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3.622<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1.062<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1350<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3.622<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1.188<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p> &nbsp; Most common driveshaft u-joints applications will use outside locks, where lugs (image 1) or snap rings (image 2) are used to secure and align the u-joint caps in the yoke. &nbsp; <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.currieenterprises.com\/Images\/uploaded\/Yoke%20image%201.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"216\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.currieenterprises.com\/Images\/uploaded\/Driveshaft%201.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"385\" height=\"245\" \/> &nbsp; Determining the u-joint series for external lock applications is a simple matter of measuring a few critical dimensions. &nbsp; <strong>Measuring for Driveshaft U-joint Fitment<\/strong> <strong>If you don&#8217;t have the u-joint<\/strong> 1) Measure the distance between the lugs of the transmission and pinion yokes and the distance between the snap rings of the driveshaft yoke to attain the overall widths 2) Measure the yoke gap and the diameter at the cap location to get the cap diameters. Make sure to check all of the width and diameter dimensions, as they may be different. If the dimensions do not match, you may require a conversion u-joint. &nbsp; <strong>If you have the u-joint<\/strong> 1) Measure the outside distance across the u-joint (with caps installed) 2) Measure the diameter of the caps <em>Make sure to check all of the width and diameter dimensions, as they may be different.<\/em> <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p> &nbsp; <strong>Standard u-joints<\/strong> U-Joint sizes are classified by series, with each series having a specific cap diameter and overall joint width. <em>\u00a0 Typically speaking, a higher series number translates to a stronger joint.<\/em> <strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">1310 \/ 1330 \/ 1350<\/span><\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67593\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/UNI-2-CROP-232x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"335\" height=\"433\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.currieenterprises.com\/Images\/uploaded\/Standard%20U-joint%20Part%202%20v3A.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"391\" height=\"414\" \/> &nbsp; <strong>Standard U-joint Series, Dimensions <\/strong> <\/p>\n<table width=\"490\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>Series<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"138\"><strong>Cross Width<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"150\"><strong>Cap Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"102\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\">1310<\/td>\n<td width=\"138\">3.219 (3 7\/32\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"102\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\">1310BC*<\/td>\n<td width=\"138\">3.219 (3 7\/32\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">2 @1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d) 2 @ 1.125 (1 1\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"102\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\">1330<\/td>\n<td width=\"138\">3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"102\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\">1330BC*<\/td>\n<td width=\"138\">3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">2 @ 1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d) 2 @ 1.125 (1 1\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"102\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\">1350<\/td>\n<td width=\"138\">3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">1.188 (1 3\/16\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"102\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em>*BC denotes Big Cap a Ford creation with two thicker caps to resist the deformation caused by over-torquing of the u-bolt straps.<\/em><\/span> &nbsp; <strong>Conversion or combination u-joints<\/strong> These include a mix of two different series specifications in the same joint so that that mismatched yokes and driveshafts can be connected. <em>\u00a0 The thing to remember here is that the joint is only as strong as the smaller series.<\/em> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.currieenterprises.com\/Images\/uploaded\/Conversion%20U-Joint%20Part%201.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"378\" height=\"328\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67594\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/mm5\/graphics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/UNI-1-CROPPED-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/> &nbsp; <strong>Conversi<br \/>\non U-Joint Series, Dimensions <\/strong> <\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 285px;\" width=\"484\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"89\"><strong>Series<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"121\"><strong>Cross Widths<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><strong>Cap Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"89\">1310\/1330<\/td>\n<td width=\"121\">3.22 (3 7\/32\u201d) 3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"89\">1310\/1330BC*<\/td>\n<td width=\"121\">3.22 (3 7\/32\u201d) 3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">2 @ 1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d) 2 @ 1.125 (1 1\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"89\">1330\/1330BC*<\/td>\n<td width=\"121\">3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">2 @ 1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d) 2 @ 1.125 (1 1\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"89\">1330\/1350<\/td>\n<td width=\"121\">3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">2 @ 1.062 (1 1\/16\u201d) 2 @ 1.188 (1 3\/16\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"89\">1330BC*\/1350<\/td>\n<td width=\"121\">3.625 (3 5\/8\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\">2 @ 1.125 (1 1\/8\u201d) 2 @ 1.188 (1 3\/16\u201d)<\/td>\n<td width=\"168\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p> <span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>\u00a0*BC denotes Big Cap, a Ford creation with two thicker caps to resist the deformation caused by over-torquing of the u-bolt straps.<\/em><\/span> &nbsp; <strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Strength Ratings<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> <\/span><\/strong> &nbsp; <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">U-joint strength depends on many factors, including material type, body design, the presence of a zerk fitting, cap size, etc. The chart below summarizes the continuous lifetime operating torque and yield torque\u00a0values\u00a0(the point at which the u-joint begins to deform)<\/span> &nbsp; <strong>U-Joint Series Torque Ratings<\/strong> <\/p>\n<table width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"90\"><strong>U-Joint Series<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"174\"><strong>Continuous Lifetime Operating Torque<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"114\"><strong>Yield Torque<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"90\">1310<\/td>\n<td width=\"174\">130 lb-ft<\/td>\n<td width=\"114\">1,600 lb-ft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"90\">1330<\/td>\n<td width=\"174\">150 lb-ft<\/td>\n<td width=\"114\">1,850 lb-ft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"90\">1350<\/td>\n<td width=\"174\">210 lb-ft<\/td>\n<td width=\"114\">2,260 lb-ft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>&#8230;<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sonnax.com\/slip_yokes?wvideo=jjqysq40m1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/embed-fastly.wistia.com\/deliveries\/f5ebee0e3e81fd6eff10181d24342ed8.jpg?image_play_button_size=2x&amp;image_crop_resized=960x540&amp;image_play_button=1&amp;image_play_button_color=00548ee0\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" \/><\/a> &nbsp;<strong><span style=\"color: #808080;\">If you have any questions we are always happy to help&#8230;\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #000000;\">208-453-9800<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A little help with U-joint terminology and application for your custom street rod, daily cuiser, or muscle car build.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[325,326,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-driveshafts-yokes","category-rear-axle","category-tech-info"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67598\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}