Bearing Plate Universal Joints and Yokes

Bearing plate universal joints, also known as Spicer “10 Series”, have been a standard in heavy truck and oilfield applications for decades. Though there are new series of parts and u-joints showing up in the marketplace, the 10 Series has stood the test of time and will be popular for decades to come. There are not nearly as many different sizes in this series of parts as there are in snap ring style joints and all are identified simply by the width of the yoke or joint. They are available in full round (fully enclosed yoke bore) and half round (strap-style cap rention) styles.

Above are Spicer half round and full round 1710 series universal joint kits with mounting hardware. The latest generation of Spicer 10 Series joints no longer use the lock tabs under the bearing plate bolts, instead using a self-locking, serated head bolt with factory-applied locktite on the threads. If a bearing cap bolt is removed for any reason it should be replaced or spotted with locktite before reinstallation. The new plate has a step in it that makes using the old lock tabs difficult, but it is possible to use them with a longer than standard bolt. Full round joints are measured under the bearing caps across the width of the joint. This is the same measurement you get by measuring the yoke across it’s ears, outside to outside, as shown in the photo. When measuring a yoke with a joint installed be sure to measure to the outside of the yoke not to the outside of the bearing plates.

Troubleshooting Note: Bearing Plate Caps

The bearing plate is spot welded to the bearing cap and this weld can be broken due to a variety of reasons (vibrating driveshaft, shock loads, etc.). When this weld fails the bearing cap is free to spin and can quickly wear out the cap bore in the yoke. If, when replacing a joint the bearing plate falls off when the bolts are removed, check the fit of the cap! Often the cap will fall out of the yoke bore as well and the yoke should be replaced. Bearing plate caps fit the yoke bore snugly and should not simply “fall” into or out of the yoke.

Troubleshooting Note: Half Round Caps

Half round caps that show a clean or sometimes even polished edge can be an indication of a worn end yoke. The yoke centering tab wears away with time and torque allowing the joint body to float between two caps that are no longer centered, moving the entire driveshaft off it’s centerline by the degree of wear in the yoke. Often one of the caps will spin in it’s bore and the centering tab cleans the edge as it rotates. The yoke may be worn and should be inspected. Time and torque can also stretch a strap out of shape, freeing the cap to spin in an otherwise good yoke. The photos at right are good examples of what a spinning bearing cap looks like. This clean edge is apparent even when the joint is still installed. Notice in the top photo that the strap has stretched and is no longer holding the cap seated in the yoke bore. Inspect your driveshaft visually for signs of wear!

Bearing Plate Joint ID Chart

Spicer is the OE for all 10 Series universal joints and is a design that is copied by most joint manufacturers. It is a workhorse series of parts around the world. Though the bearing cap diameters vary, the universal measurement for this series of parts are widths of yokes.

Over Caps	Cap O.D.	Series	Full Round P/N	Half Round P/N
4.562	1.562	1500	5-115X	N/A
5.312	1.875	1610	5-279X	5-674X
6.094	1.938	1710	5-280X	5-675X
6.594	2.312	1800	5-124X	N/A
7.00	1.938	1760	5-407X	5-677X
7.547	1.938	1810	5-281X	5-676X
8.094	2.188	1880	5-308X	N/A
8.781	2.812	1900	5-54X	N/A