Dana Holding Corp. announced the introduction of service-free universal-joints to its heavy-duty Spicer Life Series (SPL) driveshafts. This technology delivers a permanently lubricated driveline that reduces maintenance costs over the life of the product, the company said.  

The new SPL-250 and SPL-170 service-free U-joints have been designed for main and tandem drive inter-axle driveshaft applications for a variety of Class 8 heavy-duty truck applications, according to the maker.  

“Dana has equipped more than four million trucks around the globe with our service-free U-joint technology,” said Tom DeHaven, Dana senior manager of driveshaft products. “Our customers are looking for reliable, low-maintenance driveshafts. The introduction of Dana’s permanently lubricated SPL U-joints enables customers to purchase the most reliable, high-performance driveshaft in a service-free option.”  

Dana said it recently upgraded the performance and durability of its entire line-up of SPL heavy-duty U-joints. Enhancements include a new bearing package with larger needle bearings for increased capacity, a special Viton synthetic seal for improved grease retention, and a thermoplastic seal guard to exclude contaminants. In addition, a new premium synthetic lubricant provides further improvement in bearing life, according to the company. Dana’s SPL line of universal joints offers customers up to 40% improvement in dynamic bearing capacity – in the same compact package – to create a driveline with 70% more power density compared with it nearest competitor. These features will come standard on SPL service-free U-joints and will be available to all OEMs in March, Dana said.

Warranty coverage is available for up to four years or 400,000 miles of service for linehaul applications.