U-joints for aluminum shafts

[chevynut]

I was shopping for new u-joints for my C4 halfshafts a while ago and I noticed that they specify "zinc phosphate coated" u-joints for aluminum halfshafts and driveshafts. They're OVER THREE TIMES the price of "uncoated" ones. How big of a deal is this?

My Denny's aluminum driveshaft has UNCOATED 1350's in it.

Here's what Denny's says about it...

"IMPORTANT NOTE DISCLAIMER: Technically the 1984 to 1996 Corvette Aluminum Driveshafts and Half Shafts should use the COATED Universal Joints (see Spicer 5-3613X and 5-3615X) but it seems that many 1984 to 1996 Corvette owners have used the Spicer 5-1310X and 5-1350X UNCOATED universal joints with great success. They DID NOT experience any corrosion or problems in using the uncoated u-joints in their aluminum shafts. While it is not recommended to use uncoated u-joints it seems that it is commonly done without any detrimental effects. Please make your choice carefully. "

[Bluegrass Trifive]

I was shopping for new u-joints for my C4 halfshafts a while ago and I noticed that they specify "zinc phosphate coated" u-joints for aluminum halfshafts and driveshafts. They're OVER THREE TIMES the price of "uncoated" ones. How big of a deal is this?

My Denny's aluminum driveshaft has UNCOATED 1350's in it.

Here's what Denny's says about it...

"IMPORTANT NOTE DISCLAIMER: Technically the 1984 to 1996 Corvette Aluminum Driveshafts and Half Shafts should use the COATED Universal Joints (see Spicer 5-3613X and 5-3615X) but it seems that many 1984 to 1996 Corvette owners have used the Spicer 5-1310X and 5-1350X UNCOATED universal joints with great success. They DID NOT experience any corrosion or problems in using the uncoated u-joints in their aluminum shafts. While it is not recommended to use uncoated u-joints it seems that it is commonly done without any detrimental effects. Please make your choice carefully. "

I've never used the first coated joint on anything I've ever worked on. Late model stock cars, street cars, pickups, and Corvettes,I've never had ANY kind of issue what so ever.

[Rick_L]

I would think it's only an issue if you drive in the snow in areas where they salt the roads.

[markm]

I recently worked on a 71 GMC with an aluminum sander and it does corrode, but I seriously doubt your Nomad will ever see the elements. I agree with Rick and Bluegrass.

[WagonCrazy]

I have uncoated 1350's in mine,but it hasn't seen any road time yet. I didn't know about this coated requirement...

So I'll just put some antisieze around the outside of the cap, and call it a day (when I do the final assembly).

[chevynut]

Thanks guys, I pretty much concluded that it might be an issue for a daily driver in the snow and rain, but probably not for my Nomad. I just thought it was strange that Denny's didn't even use them in their aluminum driveshafts.