QU50842 2003-2012 Ram 1415 Series 36 Spline Midship Rear Driveshaft Slip Yoke

QU50842 2003-2012 Ram 1415 Series 36 Spline Midship Rear Driveshaft Slip Yoke for some 2003-2012 Dodge Ram Ram 2500, Ram 3500 and 2004-2010 Ram 1500 Mega Cab trucks with 2 piece rear driveshafts. This part is a 36 spline, 7.44" long 1415 Series Midship Slip Yoke. It is used on vehicles that have Midship Center Bearing that supports the center of a three u-joint, two-piece rear driveline. 

READ THE TECH NOTES BELOW!

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Dan the Gear Man® Tech Notes:
The Right U-Joint
U-Joint Dimensions
Installation
Use the Proper Tools
Matching Parts
Applications

Tech Note 1: The Right U-Joint
For the 2003-2012 model years, most Dodge Ram 2500, Ram 3500 rear driveshafts are supplied by American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) instead of Dana-Spicer. Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 rear driveshafts use AAM series joints that have a .010" smaller snap ring lockup dimension when compared to Spicer series universal joints.

The bearing cups are ground down on many AAM joints to accommodate the smaller lockup dimension. While it is usually possible to force a Spicer series joint in a AAM series yoke (after all, it is only a .010" difference), the snap rings will be dangerously bowed out in the center and the joint will be "tight". The tight fit increases heat generation and end galling, either of which will lead to premature failures. Interestingly, low quality, hot-forged Spicer-sized universal joints, typically sold by parts stores, are so loosely made that they often fit the AAM yokes. However, we have never found this type of joint to hold up for more than a few months behind diesel and high power gas engines.

If a Spicer series universal joint is installed in an AAM yoke, the tighter lockup dimension will often cause the joint to fail prematurely. So, to prevent premature universal joint failures you should install a AAM specific joint instead of a Spicer sized u-joint.

Tech Note 2: U-Joint Dimensions
QU50842 Uses external snap rings to retain universal joints made to AAM 1415 series specifications. The u-joint cup diameter is 1-3/16". The overall width is 4.178".

Tech Note 3: Installation
Before separating your driveshaft, match mark all the separate pieces. If you are installing a new u-joint, install the u-joint into QU50842 Slip Yoke first, then install the u-joint to the rear driveshaft section. Apply clean grease to the yoke and driveshaft splines, plus put a thin film of grease on the outside of the new yoke that will be covered by the driveshaft boot. Install  the boot and clamps (if removed) to the splined shaft. Line up the match marks on the forward and rear driveshaft pieces and install the rear half of the driveshaft. Your new yoke should be in phase (lines up with) with the transfer case output yoke. Put the boot clamp in position and crimp it with QT4018i Tool.

Tech Note 4: Use the Proper Tools
Due to the amount of force needed to press out big u-joints like these from the yokes, it is very easy to compress the yoke ears enough to take a "set" that will make the snap ring grooves closer together. This will not only make your new u-joints harder to install, but it will also guarantee short part life. We see this problem over and over again, in fact more universal joints and driveshaft yokes are wrecked by slam-bang methods of u-joint replacement than by any other cause. Moral of the story is: Use the right tools and service procedures or be prepared to pay the price! For service information, refer to TM3000 Driveshaft and Universal Joint Manual or TSB3502 External Snap Ring Single-Cardan U-Joint Service Bulletin.

Tech Note 5: Matching Parts
QU50469 AAM 1415 Series U-Joint
QU50234 Driveshaft Boot Kit
QU50210 Driveshaft Boot Clamp
QU50211 Center Bearing Retainer 2003-2006
QU50475 Center Bearing Retainer 2007-2012
QK3066 Center Bearing 2003-2008
QK3090 Center Bearing 2006-2012
QU90018 Pyroplex Plus Synthetic Grease
QU90021 Spicer Synthetic Grease
QU50381 Flange Yoke for Rear of Shaft

Applications:
Dodge:
Many Ram 2500, Ram 3500 trucks with gas engines and 2-Piece Rear Driveshafts: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Many Ram 2500, Ram 3500 trucks with Cummins Diesel engines, automatic transmissions, and 2-Piece Rear Driveshafts: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012