Steering U-joints

Does anyone know what kind of torque a steering u-joint can withstand before they break?

Not enough information. Continuous or instantantaneous? Nearly straight or at an angle? What rotation speed? If you can find out who makes the u-joint you can usually get specs on it. If you're trying to re-purpose a steering u-joint for a drive application, that's not recommended as it's not what they're made for. You can get really small u-joints that ARE made for drive applications, though, so there's hope.

There are tons of spec sheets on this website to get you started:

http://www.beldenuniversal.com/

Bryce

no but i know surplus center has some nise one cheap.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2540012218273672&item=1-2738&catname=

[ratrodder]

Just use some 1/2" drive universal joints from your socket set

[/ratrodder]

1/2 drive unit have no bearings, they'll rust up under the heat and water vapor. Real joints are cheaper too $4.99 with the ruber boot! I bought extra's to keep around. both my dwarf run them.

44

Sorry, I hoped you'd catch the sarcasm in my last post.

I actually saw 1/2" drive universals in the steering of one pos craprod at a show.

Shawn

Sorry... I've seen "Race shops" use them. Bad idea.

The U-joints are for a human power four wheel off road vehicle. They are going on the drive axle. Last year we manufactured our own which took up a lot of time so I was looking to buy some this year.

Even better for the surplus center units. They do several things for you. A) There CHEAP. B) they have both single end units and one with short shaft that fit the single unit. C) There cheap. D) they have needle bearing in the cups. E) there cheap

Seriously, sounds like the wrench U-joints are just the ticket, assuming this is for some sort of FSAE Baja thing that'll be driven one day. Don't expect them to last, and don't underestimate the shock loads. They'll do okay if you can keep the angularity low

Trans_Maro gets points for thinking outside the box...

Cost is no problem and they do have to handle high loads.

Have you checked a farm supply?

They usually have small u-joints in both splined and weld-on fitting in various sizes.

They're farm implement parts so they have to be cheap and take a E36 M3 kicking.

Shawn

Brilliant. I will do that.