getting some u-joints put in my d44 soon. Went to a place in the east bay during lunch to get some prices. They use Neapco (I think this is how it was spelled.) U-joints. They are still 297's. I had spicer on before. So my question, is there a big difference between these and spicer? Better, worse, or doesn't really matter?
Also- I busted both of the 297's I had on before- Is there a heavy duty/beefier u-joint I could put in.

Spicer has a 5-760x joint out that replaces the 297, its beefier dont know if they are actually stronger......Spicer will not say they are a stronger version, they are just beefier whatever that means.
But you can try those joints they are about a $1.00 more than the 297, I would give it a shot....

UNLESS YOU WANT TO GO BULLETPROOF=WARN SHAFTS & CTM JOINTS OH YEAH...:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

CTM

I usually see 760's cheaper than 297's go 760. I haven't heard of a 760 cross breaking yet just the caps.

Neapco and Spicer, kind like Snap on and Craftsman . Both makers produce a wrench that will turn a 3/4 bolt, but the snap On will fit the bolt better, last longer, and have better fit and finish. Stay with Spicers if using OEM type joints. And since your staying with Spicers now :D Use the 5-760x.. May be stronger, might taste better, and is less filling.

Not a big difference (if any) at all... I wouldn't pay more for a spicer from the same store. Everything cost the same at some point, it just depends on how many disitributors step on it before it gets to you. Each retailer will tell you their product is a better deal, because they like to eat and pay their bills. I've used both, they both fail just when you are starting to get somewhere.

whats the going price for a 297 or 760x. Thanks

Originally posted by Stallion
whats the going price for a 297 or 760x. Thanks
Walk in the door retail should be about
5-760x = $19
5-297x= $20
5-297-1x =$25

I'll be nice and not tell ya what I pay for um :rolleyes: ,,,, and no Blackjack, you can't tell um either:D

I've run both, broke both. The 760's seem to be cheaper than the 297. The spicers are a little nicer. I'd say the life expectancy determines which ones you'd buy. If you can run a few trips and break them, I'd run neapco's. If you are able to make them live a summer or more run spicer.

Out here - the Neapco have a lifetime warrenty :D Get it!

I think you should run what you think is strongest in the reasonable price range. if you saved $10 on a ujoint and trashed your axle shafts because of it you would feel pretty silly, unless you have a huge pile of 44 shafts or something.

buy Neapco if it is for sale
buy 760 if you are poor
buy CTM if you are rich
buy 60's if you are starting from scratch and running big tires

Originally posted by brector
Out here - the Neapco have a lifetime warrenty :D Get it!

Only in locations far from the con and hammers.

I had some Neapco (sp?) in an a Gleoco shaft I had custom made. They were loose to begin with and got looser quickly--probably cause the shaft was poorly made and would not balance out.

Jason :)

compair a spicer 297 and a neapco, they are the same joint, spicer even had neapco making them for a while, the 760 is a diffrent story, mo better.

Originally posted by Brutpwr
I had some Neapco (sp?) in an a Gleoco shaft I had custom made. They were loose to begin with and got looser quickly--probably cause the shaft was poorly made and would not balance out.

Jason :)

Let me tell you about my experience with Gleoco(aka Arizona Drivelins). First time I had them add a cv to my shaft they didnt shorten it enough. when I had them shorten it again they cut off to much and now the splines poke out at rest. Not to mention that I cant go faster than 50 MPH cause the damn thing vibrates so bad it feels like my truck will fall apart. :mad: I would stay away from their crap. When I went to pickup my driveshaft the first time no one their spoke english:mad3: Now im out alot of money and still dont have a good driveshaft.

went with the 297x---I figured that they have worked well up to this point, might as well give them another go. The dude at the shop said the 760x's are not the right size for my axles. Said the axles would need "larger openings/upgraded axles". I think he was full of crap, it doesn't really jive with what I have heard, but whatever. Sounds like they are pretty comparable to the 297x's anyway. Thanks for the opinions.

Originally posted by bronco78

Walk in the door retail should be about
5-760x = $19
5-297x= $20
5-297-1x =$25

I'll be nice and not tell ya what I pay for um :rolleyes: ,,,, and no Blackjack, you can't tell um either:D


UMMMMM $20 sounds about right, yeah $20 it is. :D :D :D :D :D :D

Originally posted by RCKRATZ
CTM

what he said :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Brent Orton
compair a spicer 297 and a neapco, they are the same joint, spicer even had neapco making them for a while, the 760 is a diffrent story, mo better.
A: No they are not
B: Yes they did for a short while, but no more
C:Yes the 5-760x seems to be holding up better

But heck, what do I know....pays your money, takes your choice.

According to the testing done by Warn and presented in 4Wheeler a few months ago, Neapco 297's are actually a few ft-lbs stronger than the Spicer joints. They are very close though.

I have found that a lot of the parts stores tell you that their joints are "made by Neapco" but I can't find where it says this anywhere and since most parts store employees seem to be absolutely ignorant of any automotive knowledge, I wouldn't put any stock in it.

So that said, if you can find REAL Neapco joints for cheaper than Spicers, get em. If not, get the Spicers. Just make sure you know what you are getting.

I build drivelines for a living. From what i've seen and know the Spicers joints seem to be a little stronger than the Neapco. But theres really not a huge difference. If you want a really strong joint buy the CTM's. I worked at Wild Horses for 41/2 years I seen 44 joints brake all the time. With out going to a 60 your best bet would be going to Warn shafts and ctm joints but that cost a tun of cash$$$$$$$$.

hey crackhead since you work with this stuff all the time you should know. do a lot of people have trouble getting the clips on neapco 60 joints. i have heard that the neapcos run just a bit bigger than others:smokin:

I have never installed a Neapco joint on a 60 shaft, only spicers. Sorry i could not help. I'll keep my ears open.:(

hey crackhead did you run the 5-332x or spl55-3x? ah spl hehe- what is that? come awn - maybe you did huh? Jess

Hey jess.. crackhead took my job.. We always sold the 332x,, never had anyone want to buy the spl joints... We only sold spl stuff for the newer rebuilds of driveshafts...

We didnt sell very many 60 joints so we just sold the 5-332x

The manager of the shop is on the board somewhere around here....

i don't sell any of the 332's they seemed the same as the neapco's to me- the spl is the best one to use if you ask me-! Jess

i agree.. the spl is a better joint by far... i just dont remember if there is a price difference.. i never looked up the prices on that joint

By the way.. i was the one who you called on my cell phone.. when i was trying to figure out what the part # for a cv yoke for a front output on a yj tcase

James

cool- and i have found that the spl - and 5-760 x are a bit more reasonable even though spicer is not willing to make claim to better (god knows about those boys) they are with testing we have done not on some machine but on an actual rig with a known problem- Jess

Of course they arent going to admit it.. if they can get people to buy both.. more money to them... if they said the spl55 is better than the 332.. why make the 332 anymore... Stupid OEM. thats all who really want them anyways