Woodward Steering U-Joints

Since 1989, Woodward steering universal joints have been the preferred choice of race car builders everywhere, and have won every major race and series championship in North America many times over, including the Winston (now NASCAR) Cup. Woodward pioneered the use of caged needle rollers with a slight preload to create a joint without backlash and with noticeably lower reversing inertia than conventional automotive designs. That means enhanced sensitivity at the steering wheel, and makes even the smallest steering input more effectivewhether on a superspeedway at 200MPH or sideways on a dirt bull ring. The bearing trunnion used in these U-Joints is a one-piece design of hardened chrome-vanadium tool steel. The grease seals are high-durometer fluorocarbon o-rings in compression against the end surfaces of the needle bearing cups. These seals will resist sustained oven-level heat and will retain the bearing grease under severe conditions, including welding. Other design details include stainless steel truss-head screws overlapping the bearing cups, and a pair of fine-thread knurled set screws located at 90 degrees, for highly positive and reliable retention on a splined shaft or steering gear.