A typo.

 

You'll forgive me but, if people are going to "quote" me for saying something and, go so far as to try and threaten me with it in a cease and desist letter, I would think that it is important to quote me accurately and specifically.

Does anyone know where these u-joints are made? No. Being that Tom Wood himself is unwilling to disclose this information and, can be quoted as saying "our universal joints are, more or less, a reverse engineered Spicer universal joint", I can only assume that they are made in China. Are these u-joints cheap? I can't see why anyone would purposefully use a reverse engineered Spicer u-joint rather than just use the real thing unless you're trying to find a way to make more profit. Of course, you can make that final determination yourself. Are these u-joints junk? All I can say is that over the last 5 years or, the current lifespan of the JK, I have seen what I consider to be an unsettling amount of failures in them where as I have not in u-joints made by Spicer or Neapco. Please take note that over the last 5 years, Tom Wood himself has admitted that people have been complaining about problems with not only his u-joints but, with his center balls and vibrations as well. (quote taken from a Land Rover forum)


Based on all this and using planman's analogy, yes, I have been trying to help others out by pointing out a potential pothole they may encounter if they choose to use these u-joints.

And I have stated that, for the most part, so long as it's balanced well, a driveshaft is a driveshaft with the only difference being in what u-joints are used. As far as the "fact" you claim he put behind it goes, like Sharkey, I guess too I missed the metallurgical and batch failure sampling studies of the various universal joints available on the market.

If you're referring to the fact that a company would use what I think is a substandard part and with the hopes of making more profit, yeah, I'd have to agree with you.

 

Thanks wecf, it's nice to see there are people who do take the time to read things carefully and seeing things for what they really are.

RE shafts are made by a company called Powertrain and they do good work.

Yeah, what do you know - Clearly, you have an agenda to slam a good company because you're just in it for the money!

 

so I know this is a thread from hell, but I suspect I might be needing a new driveshaft soon (front and rear I suspect). I only have adjustable lower control arms, so if I swap to an aftermarket shaft, do I need uppers, or is there a shaft I can get that works with what I have (4" lift, 6-speed, 2011). Second, if I order the shaft, say through dave at northridge, are there any special parts I need to get, or do I just send him a pm going "DRIVESHAFTS PLZ" and i'll get everything I need for a successful install. I know there was alot of talk over the types of joints used on the different shafts, and it looks like northridge sells coast shafts, so would I have to request anything special? thanks!

 

of all the threads, you had to re-open this one!!

up front, you will not need anything. in the rear, you will need adjustable rear upper control arms as they will be needed to set your pinion angle. everything you need will come with the driveshaft you order.

 

psh, it got me an answer fast! thanks!

 

A couple of years ago, I and several friends were in Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari. We went to the vendor show, and I met Mr. Tom Woods displaying his driveshaft products.
I was planning on replacing my JKU Rubicon OEM driveshafts. On my last JK I installed JE Reel. I asked Tom if his U-joints were Spicers, he said no, his U-joints were made in China to his companys specifications, and were high quality, strong and reliable.
I did replace my OEM driveshafts with Tom Woods........

 

nice! Someone who finally asked and got a straight answer - Tom Wood u-joints are MADE IN CHINA just like I've always said.

 

I don't care where products are made....i just want them to hold up.

Just because something is not made in the US doesn't mean it is not a good product.

Can't believe an admin would get on here and get involved in such a 'shouting' match over a u joint!
I will be visiting this site much less often!

 

Good for you!