Wondering what people's thoughts are on u-bolts vs. straps for a 1310 series driveshaft u-joint being mating to the yoke? Is there any advantage to going with the u-bolts? Also, if the u-bolts are worth it, is it simply a case of drilling out the yoke bolt holes for installation?
U-bolt style vs. strap style (driveshaft to yoke u-joint)
I8AHUMR
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Wondering what people's thoughts are on u-bolts vs. straps for a 1310 series driveshaft u-joint being mating to the yoke? Is there any advantage to going with the u-bolts? Also, if the u-bolts are worth it, is it simply a case of drilling out the yoke bolt holes for installation?
i went to u-bolts. my opinion is that they are a far better idea then the straps. when you snap a ujoint or break a strap the bolt holding the strap in the yoke is snapped off inside. if your lucky you can get some pliers on it to unthread it but usually you have to get an easy out in there. if you snap a ujoint with the ubolts all you have to do is throw in a new ubolt or just straighten one. the ones that i used are from a ford...??? i got mine from shucks and the part number is 81008. and yes all you have to do is drill out your yoke. it is very hard to drill it while it is still in the jeep though. i would recommend using a drill press. just make sure you get your pinion nut tight when you go to put it back together. your supposed to use a new nut when you remove the old but eh.. =) hope this helps!
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ultimately i like the ubolt style but there are some issues to watch out for:
the only real advantage is the one stated in the first response. ill explain...
no. you can do this, and many have, but it will leave very little yoke "meat" around the ubolt. you can get a yoke made for ubolts for $50.00.
i state that the only advantage was the one previously stated because far too many people convert to ubolts to eliminate the straps stretching and ultimately throwing ujoints. this is simply a band-aid. if you are stretching straps you will ultimatley stretch ubolts. i have gone through this personally. whatever your driveline woes are, they need to be fixed first. for me it was a bad pinion angle after tweaking springs.
the advantage of the straps is, no matter what torque you place on the bolts the pressure on the ujoint caps is somewhat consistent. with the ubolts you have to be very carefull how tight you get them. it is quite easy to overtighten and deform the cap. this will eventually cause the needle bearings to disintegrate.
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126 Posts
i went to ubolts after my straps kept failing.had to buy a new yoke. i would tighten the straps and the u joint was still loose.
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14,339 Posts
I had thoughts about doing this, once upon a time. But instead, I took a more, shall we say, reliable route. I dumped the D35 for the 8.8 and got the flange yoke instead. 
However, I still have the straps up front, but I'm not that concerned about it and I carry spares in my ditty bag anyway.
WRM
However, I still have the straps up front, but I'm not that concerned about it and I carry spares in my ditty bag anyway.
WRM
Agree. The 8.8 uses a flange. Much better.I had thoughts about doing this, once upon a time. But instead, I took a more, shall we say, reliable route. I dumped the D35 for the 8.8 and got the flange yoke instead.
However, I still have the straps up front, but I'm not that concerned about it and I carry spares in my ditty bag anyway.
WRM
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40 Posts
Anyone have any experience with a conversion kit? I gotta change a pinion seal cuz it's leaking and will replace all the u-joints while I'm at it. I searched for a yoke conversion kit and this one popped up.
Heavy Duty U Bolt Yoke Conversion Kit
Heavy Duty U Bolt Yoke Conversion Kit
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3,280 Posts
Looks like a pretty good kit.
BTW: IIRC they have free shipping this weekend. Or, at least 4WD.com does.
You may want to look there as well.
If you have the D44 axle that seems like a slick deal there.
If you have the D35 axle I would opt for the 8.8 axle. I paid at the JY $177 (disc brakes, 4:10, and lsd) sold the D35 for $100! Not much more than the kit you posted.
Looks like they also make it for the D30. I might think about that. Thanks!
That should tell you something was wrong. damaged strap, wrong strap, damaged yoke.. something. Failure was inevitable.
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4,184 Posts
If you go to u-bolts and replace the yoke try looking at you local driveshaft builder or supplier they might have whay you want for a lot less than the 4 wheel drive shops. Remember when they say that they are a 4x4 shop or supplier they markup stuff too high for what others will sell the same thing for.
This man is correct. If you keep stretching straps, you have a driveline geometry problem. Bandaid fixes never work in the long run, and often lead to more costly repairs and related problems.
Fix your botched driveline angles, then use the u-bolts if you want, they are easier to service and somewhat better than straps, IMHO.
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4,504 Posts
where and how much.... lolTHese are nice
![Image]()
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4,423 Posts
hey purp, right click on the image and view properties. Looks like they are from jegs/ probably designed for 1/4 mile drivelines
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