How much torque on u-joint?

[rumb]

How much torque can handle u-joint (universal joint; Swivel socket )?

1/4" square rated as: 70nM
3/8" - 200nM
1/2" - 450nM?

So, just curious, what rating on universal joint by manufacturer? How much I can load universal joint? Once I have used some HONITON (Taiwan/China) 1/4" universal joint and it's started to deforming already at 30nM!

Thanks

 

[Mud]

Ask the manufacturer and see if you get a reply!

 

[rumb]

Asked Carolus, will wait reply, but may be someone knows already? or tested?

 

[cheechi]

A breaker bar is half of a u joint. so half the torque you could put through the breaker bar before it breaks.

Solid math. No need to question it.

 

[knobby]

Angle of deflection would be a variable js

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I've had three cheaper quality UJ's let go of the pins on me in the past, that couldn't be warrantied, because I lost the receipts, after that I've gone for better quality tool truck one's with no problems yet.

70nM that's about 51 to 52 ft lbs, so if it's failing around 30NM's at 22 to 23 ft lbs it ain't up to the job, I'd be looking for better quality one's.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Depends on the steel, too. I have had 3/8" tiawanic u-joints (and extensions and breaker bars) come apart at well under 50 ft lbs, where good german or US steel ones will easily take 200 ft lbs without deforming. It's really worth spending the extra money for the quality ones rather than having to spend over and over for the cheap ones.

 

[chris142]

i have put my matco pinless ones through hell.aint broke any yet.

 

[yowzer]

I shattered an old Bonney 3/8 joint recently with what felt like a moderate amount of force. Shame, because it originally belonged to my grandfather.

 

[pi_guy]

Proof that even a girl can turn a wrench, make chips fly, or shape hot metal... and bake a mean peach pie in the oven while melting lead on the stovetop!

Your tag line scares me, I was raised by a chemist and I would never melt lead in a kitchen. Outside with a gentile breeze blowing away from the house is how I melt my lead.
Do you use asbestos gloves in the kitchen also?

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Your tag line scares me, I was raised by a chemist and I would never melt lead in a kitchen. Outside with a gentile breeze blowing away from the house is how I melt my lead.
Do you use asbestos gloves in the kitchen also?

LOL

 

[franzdom]

A breaker bar is half of a u joint. so half the torque you could put through the breaker bar before it breaks.

Solid math. No need to question it.

The breaker bars usually have wider squares. But if they didn't...they your math is being questioned.
The strength would be the same as a breaker bar, but statistically twice as likely to fail.

 

[rumb]

Carolus didn't reply on question. So I going to test some Carolus 1/4 universal joint by loading it with 30nM and if everything will be OK, 50nM.

 

[cheechi]

kind of feel like the sarcasm really was obvious enough without having to explain it.

 

[Steinmetz]

Your tag line scares me, I was raised by a chemist and I would never melt lead in a kitchen. Outside with a gentile breeze blowing away from the house is how I melt my lead.
Do you use asbestos gloves in the kitchen also?

"...gentile breeze…". LOL. That's probably what I was called at my old law firm.

 

[nicksnothereman]

At 90 degrees...I got about 20 foot pounds out of a generic chinese 3/8" one a while back (estimate). The lower the angle the better, otherwise use an impact swivel. You can buy impact u joints but make sure they're cr-mo; u joints are almost always a bad way to work, work it another way if you can.

I know there are guys that use universals on here all the time but...they're probably careful with the angle or have truck warranties on the stuff. It's not bad to have if you're careful with them but swivels are safer (for the tool) in my opinion.

 

[rumb]

Tested Carolus u-joint 1/4 4179.80 - 30nM can hold without problems. On 50nM it's hold, but already twisted and get some damage. So 30-35nM is OK for 1/4.

PS, The metal is OK, but one bolt deformed. I think, it's because poor design.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Tested Carolus u-joint 1/4 4179.80 - 30nM can hold without problems. On 50nM it's hold, but already twisted and get some damage. So 30-35nM is OK for 1/4.

Yeah or step up to 3/8" drive !

 

[gigamel]

Tested Carolus u-joint 1/4 4179.80 - 30nM can hold without problems. On 50nM it's hold, but already twisted and get some damage. So 30-35nM is OK for 1/4.

PS, The metal is OK, but one bolt deformed. I think, it's because poor design.

Yep - that is in line with the standard test torque:
1/4" U-joint 34 Nm

The HONITON deforming at 30 Nm is not ok.