SPI gimbal: role, change and price

The SPI cardan joint is an O-ring that prevents oil from leaking from the cardan joint and its bellows. Indispensable for ensuring proper operation of gimbals, the SPI seal also ensures durability. In this article, we will share with you all the important information about the SPI gimbal: its role, its wear symptoms, how to replace it and what is its price!

🚘 What is the role of the SPI universal joint?

The SPI gimbal is cuff used to ensure the correct rotation of parts associated with suspensions. As a rule, it is composed elastomeric rubber и reinforced frame.

In addition, it has a sealing lip and a spring to adapt to the rotating part, while ensuring the tightness of the system.

With regard to the suspension, this allows, in particular, to avoid leaksmachine oil. Due to its composition, it is a wearing part and is often replaced when replacing the gimbal or gimbal bellows. As a rule, this operation is performed every 100 to 000 kilometers... Thus, the SPI universal joint is durable.

Depending on the model and brand of the car, its inner and outer diameter, as well as the thickness, will vary to a greater or lesser extent.

Also known as transmission seal, for certain types of transmission, there may be two universal joints on one part.

⚠️ What are the symptoms of SPI HS universal joint?

If your SPI universal joint is too worn out and starts to fail, your car will show several symptoms warning you. So, you may face the following situations:

• Un bellows cardigan abyss : it can be worn or, in the most serious cases, punctured or even cracked. In some cases, you will also see grease on its surface. This means that your SPI gimbal needs to be replaced, as will the gimbal that the bellows act on in poor condition;
• Leakagemachine oil : The SPI seal is no longer waterproof and causes engine oil to leak from the propeller shaft. In some cases, if the leak is very serious, you will notice puddles of oil under your car;
• SPI seal coating in poor condition : There may be cracks, cracks or tears in the seal coating. In extreme conditions, it wears out naturally during operation;
• The lip of the seal has become rigid : The lip of the seal can be elastic and flexible. This is due to engine oil, which hardens the SPI seal at high temperatures. Therefore, it can break at any time, so it must be replaced before a leak occurs.

Once these signs appear, it will require professional intervention in your vehicle so that it can change the SPI of the gimbal.

👨‍🔧 How to change the SPI gimbal?

If you are good at auto mechanics, you can also change the SPI of the gimbal yourself. Follow our step by step guide to be successful with this operation.

Required material:

Toolbox

One

Wrench

Protective gloves

Cardan joint SPI

Transmission oil canister

Step 1. Remove the wheel from the car.

Place the vehicle on a jack and jack stands, then remove the wheel damaged by the defective SPI universal joint.

Step 2. Drain the water from the transmission.

First you will need to loosen the gimbal nut. Then place a pallet under the gearbox. To drain the used oil, you will need to remove the filler plug and then the drain plug.

Step 3: Remove the faulty SPI gimbal

Before removing the seal, it will be necessary to disconnect the steering rod from the spindle, as well as the ball joint of the suspension. After removing the stabilizer, you can remove the gasket.

Step 4: Install a new gasket

A new SPI seal can be installed. Then assemble the stabilizer and re-connect the various elements.

Step 5: fill the gearbox

The gearbox will need to be topped up with gear oil. Refer to your vehicle's service booklet for the required liters.

Step 6: assemble the wheel

Now you can put the wheel back on and get off the car.

💰 How much does an SPI gimbal cost?

Generally speaking, SPI pads are inexpensive parts. Indeed, the SPI universal joint stands between 3 € and 10 €... What can be expensive is labor if replaced. Depending on the number of hours of operation required, this will take from 50 € and 200 €.

The SPI gimbal is an essential element to ensure its tightness and the long-term safety of your gimbal. As soon as signs of wear and tear appear, don't wait to go to the garage and use our online garage comparator to find the one closest to you and at the best price!