Outside Snap Ring Universal Joints and Yokes

Outside snap ring components come in many sizes and is one of the most popular styles in automotive applications. They are found in GM, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, some imports such as Toyota and others. The yokes and universal joints pictured are for reference only and your parts may look a bit different than these specific parts, but if yours is an outside snap ring u-joint simply match your measurements to the chart for series identification.

Shown is a standard, greaseable Spicer 1310 Series universal joint with the closed loop outside snap rings. This joint is also available (as are many in the Spicer line) as a non-greaseable OEM style joint with much heavier and better protected bearing cap seals. But either u-joint fits the same parts and measures the same.

A is the measurement over the caps (with some seal compression) and B is the bearing cap diameter. Cap diameters are best measured with dial calipers but a good tape (with a good eye) that is marked in 16th’s of an inch will work fine.

The yoke shown is a Spicer 1310 Series u-bolt style and works with the 1310 joint. These yokes come in hundreds of configurations – different spline sizes and counts, different seal diameters, etc. Also the universal joint may be held in the yoke with u-bolts or straps. This type of yoke may be found on the tailshaft of a transmission or transfer case or on the pinion shaft of a rear axle. The measurements are the same as those on the joint: A is the width of the joint over the caps and B is the bearing cap diameter. Notice that the yoke has a small tab at the bottom of the joint cap bores. It is the distance between these tabs that you’ll need (width of the u-joint over the caps) to identify the yoke’s series.

Note On Ford: Older model Fords often have a u-joint at the rear end that has two different bearing cap sizes, 1.062″ in the driveshaft and 1.125″ in the pinion yoke. On these vehicles be sure to measure the caps on the driveshaft side and the pinion yoke side of the u-joint!

Note On Dodge: Late model Dodge trucks are using series of parts manufactured by American Axle Manufacturing Company and they are metric in dimension! They are very, very close to Spicer 1350, 1410, 1480 and 1550 series parts. If you have a Dodge and need new universal joints please give us a call – we do stock these metric joint kits!

Troubleshooting Note: The universal joint should fit snugly between the two tabs of the yoke. If the joint can be moved from side to side across the yoke the tabs have worn down and the yoke should be replaced. The tabs hold the joint on the centerline of the yoke. Worn tabs move the joint off the centerline and thereby shift the attached driveshaft off it’s centerline which can and does cause vibration. A perfect driveshaft will not run true in a worn yoke.

Installation Note: If yours is a u-bolt style yoke we recommend replacing the u-bolts when the joint is changed. U-bolts can stretch and not hold properly over time. Also heed the torque specification when tightening nuts on u-bolts! A u-bolt can be easily overtightened, crushing the u-joint bearing cap out of round. Many u-bolt style yokes have been discontinued and replaced with strap-and-bolt style yokes for this reason.

Outside Snap Ring Joint ID Chart

These are the most common outside snap ring universal joints found in domestic automotive, light and medium duty truck applications – there are others! Please give us a call if you cannot match your measurements to one of the joints on this chart. (Note: Joints listed with coated caps are for aluminum driveshafts. The coating is necessary to keep the steel cap and aluminum yoke insulated from one another, preventing galvanic corrosion.