U Joint/Driveshaft Question

[frached]

Dies anyone know if the rear u joint ad center u joint are identical? I am currently replacing the u joint my 74 tip but the local dealer only shows one part number and does not specify whether it is a rear or center. Would appreciate any guidance. 

[TobyB]

Yup, same.

 

t

[frached]

Thank you. Do you know of any good sources to purchase these besides the dealer? 

[mgben]

Well for my car probably the same pulls up 26117518304 on REAL OEM

I also use ECS  Tuning to get the BMW Part number.

if you plug that number into google you can see many options, Amazon has GMB Brand, and one offering says OEM and lists GMB 

 

Pelican parts used to have them now only meyle https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/26117518304.htm?pn=26-11-7-518-304-M158

I like RMEUROPEAN,com they sell the Meyle. https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/26117518304-MFG155.aspx

(RM you can ship brake rotors and motor oil very cheaply one set fee). 

The japanese brand GMB may be preferred unless you can track down where Meyle made. But for under $12 its hard to argue.

See the huge price differences here 

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/127956/Universal-Joint-26117518304/

 

[frached]

Thanks for all the info and links. Now I have to figure out how to get the original U joints out and find out how to lock the new ones in.. Have you had experience with this? 

[Buckeye]

3 hours ago, frached said:

Now I have to figure out how to get the original U joints out and find out how to lock the new ones in.. 

 

You will hear that this is non serviceable item and should send it out, which is very true, but if you deiced to give-it it a try ask you to document it with lots of pictures and post it here.

 

[Son of Marty]

From the factory the joints were stacked in using a jig the held both sides of the shafts and centered the u joint from all four sides, most of the shops that do replace them cut a groove in the yokes for a cir-clip like more normal drive shafts. ether way the u joint must be centered  exactly and retained tightly but not so tightly it distorts the u joint caps.  As Buckeye said if you do it take lots of pictures if you do it yourself.