Hi everyone,

I have had issues installing new universal joints on my 2005 Blazer (2-door, 4WD). I got two MOOG 231 u-joints with outer retainer clips from 2 different auto parts stores, one came in a yellow box, the other in a blue one. They turned out to be different from each other, despite having the same part number engraved on them, the one from the yellow box didn't even fit between the ears of the driveshaft. However, neither of them fit due to the caps being too large for the ear holes.

I think I have resolved the issue, but maybe this will help someone else too.

MOOG 231 are only for trucks with highrider/ZR2/sport package. I went to 5 different autoparts stores and asked for non-greasable u-joints, every single one asked if my truck had a highrider package, every single time I said 'no' and every single one of them still presented me with the MOOG 231. Might be an '05 Blazer issue, I never had trouble finding matching parts for my 2000 and 2004, but parts info for the 2005 model is often incorrect in my experience.

MOOG 234 with inner retainer clips are the correct sized non-greasable alternative for base model Blazers.

Lesson learned. Measure the cap diameter of the u-joints or measure the ear hole diameter on the drive shaft before you buy. Highrider/ZR2/sport diameter is just over 30mm, base/LS model is just under 29mm.

Why the two joints I bought came in different sizes, despite being the same part number remains a mystery.

 

Thanks for sharing the info and your experience with this. I haven't needed to replace u-joints yet but I'll keep this info in mind when I do.

 

Good info.