1998 Chevy S-10 U Joint replacements don't match

RJORTEGO

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET S-10
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
125,000 MILES

I followed one of your answers removing the U Joints on the 1998 S10 2 Wheel Drive, 4 Cylinder. Melted out original plastic, etc. I went to both Shucks and Auto Zone which listed identical replacements. However, the caps do not match the original. The grove for the C clip on the new caps is located towards the bottom, essentially the opposite end of the original. In other words, can't insert c clip without having cap protruding at least 5/16 inch each side, nor can the cap and trunion be compressed sufficient into the drive shaft to insert c clip. Any idea what the problem is? I expect I will have to contact the dealer, but something seems strange.
Thanks for any advice.

2 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

I would be checking original parts, there should not be a problem getting the correct item. Go see a dealer.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 AT 11:00 PM

RJORTEGO

MEMBER
2 POSTS

You are correct, the right parts are out there, but won't match the originals in design. I discovered that the after market U Joints pretty much all have rear installed C-Clips, there is no matching to take place. What threw me off was the recess in the factory installed caps on the U joints, served as the resevior for the plastic injection glue. I was mistakenly expecting the new caps to be the same with the C-clips to then fit in that recess. After I figured out, ignored the recess in the drive shaft yoke, installing the new ones with the rear C-Clips it worked out great! Thanks for your quick response.