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Rear Drive Shaft (propeller shaft) Parts
for 2003-UP Dodge Ram Full Size Trucks

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QK3066
AAM Center Bearing Kit
Fits 2003-2005 Dodge

Center Bearing Kit for 2003-2005 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram trucks with American Axle Manufacturing unitized square housing center bearing. Complete kit includes: new center bearing, bearing retainer, two boot clamps, and blue threadlocker.  Bearing Made in Mexico, Clamps Made in Canada, Bearing Retainer Made in U.S.A.

Rear Universal Joint Kits for 2004-up Dodge 2500 and 3500 Trucks

QK3040
AAM 1485 Series Joint Kit

AAM  driveshaft u-joints are made with slightly smaller overall widths then Spicer series joints. U-Joints made to Spicer specifications are therefore not truly compatible with AAM yokes!  (See Next Section)

Rear Universal Joint Kits for 2003-up for in 2500 and 3500 with Diesel or V10 engines. 2003 and newer trucks come with two sizes of external snap ring universal joints  Generally, trucks with 6 speed transmissions and 3 joint rear shafts use 1485 series AAM style u-joints.  Most other Dodge 2500 and 3500 trucks use 1415 joints.  To Identify the joints your truck has, measure the diameter of the u-joint cap. 1415 joints have 1.188" (1-3/16") caps.  AAM 1485 series joints have 1.375" (1-3/8") caps. (AAM manufactured all the propeller shafts in these trucks regardless of joint design). 

 

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AAM Universal Joint Fit: Starting with the 2003 model year, Dodge driveshafts are supplied by American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) instead of Dana-Spicer.  The 2003-2004 front shafts used the same joints as 2000-2002, but the rear shafts and 2005-up front shafts use AAM series joints that have a .010" smaller snap ring lockup dimension when compared to Spicer series universal joints.  The reason for this is unknown to us, but probably is intended to force you, the Dodge truck owner to buy your u-joints from the Dodge dealer.  Only one aftermarket company has released joints to fit AAM yokes as of March 2007.

The bearing cups are ground down on AAM joints to accommodate the smaller lockup dimension (red arrow). While it is usually possible to force a Spicer series joint in a AAM yoke (after all, it is only a .010" difference), the snap rings will be 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 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 behind diesel and high power gas engines.  

 From our experience with AAM shafts, we have reached several conclusions. We do not believe the AAM joint is as durable or long lasting as a Spicer cold-forged joint despite it's generally higher cost.  However, if a Spicer cold-forged universal joint is installed in a AAM yoke, the tighter lockup dimension will often cause the joint to fail prematurely.  So either you pay more and install a AAM specific joint that averages only 2-3 years of service, or pay less and put in a Spicer joint that in this application may last less than a year.