Spicer Driveshafts Service Manual - Manual (Page 3)

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General Information
General Information General Information
Spicer Life Series™ Features and Benefits
Note: Spicer Life Series™ driveshafts are found on vehicles
throughout the world. Therefore, this manual includes
worldwide terminology.
This manual encompasses inspection, lubrication, removal
and installation procedures for Spicer Life Series™ 55, 70, 90,
100, 140, 170 and 250 driveshaft assemblies.
Important Features of a Spicer Life
Series™ Driveshaft
Spicer offers a complete range of driveshaft solutions to meet
the full spectrum of needs in medium and heavy duty applica-
tions. The Spicer Life Series™ driveshafts have been designed
and developed to stand up to the wear and tear of heavy haul-
ing tasks. They are the first driveshafts in the industry to be
compatible with advancing powertrain specifications for
higher engine torque and lower axle ratios. No one does more
than Spicer in meeting the needs of the marketplace.
Spicer Life Series™ driveshafts offer:
• Longer life
• Lower lifetime management
• Increased strength for higher engine torque and
lower axle ratios
• Smaller driveshaft rotating diameter
A driveshaft that transmits high torque loads must be durable
and strong. Spicer uses forged steel and high strength cast
yokes to provide the necessary rigidity to maintain bearing
alignment under torque loads. Spicer Life Series Quick Dis-
connect™ end yokes reduce the time to remove or install the
driveshaft, equating up to a 75% labor savings for service.
Applications requiring flange connections, S.A.E., DIN and
cross-serrated T-Flanges are available. A new cold-formed,
bearing retainer provides structural rigidity and reduces bear-
ing movement which may result from overloading.
Spicer Life Series™ award winning* universal joint kits are
specifically designed to give extended driveshaft life. Flat-
ended needle bearings are used to withstand oscillating loads
while the driveshaft is rotating and to eliminate skewing in the
bearing cup. Thrust washers significantly reduce end galling
on trunnion ends and lower universal joint operating tempera-
ture. Synthetic rubber seals and plastic seal guards provide
lubricant retention and help prevent the entry of foreign mate-
rial, significantly increasing universal joint life. The centrally
located grease zerk (nipple) fitting increases the strength of
the journal cross and allows more torque carrying capacity.
High-strength steel tubing is used to provide maximum
torque carrying capacity at minimum practical weight.
Increased tube diameter allows a higher critical speed and
longer one-piece driveshafts. This increased stiffness also
improves noise, vibration and harshness. New slip member
booting or alternative seal can offers better protection against
environmental contaminants, increases component life, and is
lubricated for the life of the product.
The new integral tube sleeve and yoke shaft design, found on
heavy duty Spicer Life Series™ designs, along with larger
diameter involute splines, creates greater strength and tor-
sional stiffness with less weight. This new design leads to
improved balance and less slip effort, resulting in reduced
noise and vibration for the entire driveshaft system. Spicer
Glidecote®, found in all slip member assemblies, reduces
friction, thereby lowering thrust loads under high torque. This
nylon coating also prevents spline wear and extends life.