Dana Spicer 5-281X 1810-Series Universal Joint
The Dana Spicer 5-281X Universal Joint is a genuine Spicer, heavy-duty 1810-series full-round U-joint engineered for commercial-truck and vocational driveline applications. Its bearing-plate design provides a secure connection between the driveshaft and mating yokes while transferring high torque through the driveline.
The 5-281X features a greaseable steel cross, 1.938-inch bearing caps, a 7.547-inch overall span, and bolt-on bearing plates. Dana supplies the joint with its grease fitting and mounting hardware, making it a complete service kit for compatible 1810-series driveshaft assemblies.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Dana Spicer |
| Part number | 5-281X |
| Component type | Heavy-duty driveshaft universal-joint kit |
| Series | 1810 Series |
| Configuration | Full round |
| U-joint style | Bearing plate—BP style |
| Bearing-cap type, axis A | Bearing plate |
| Bearing-cap type, axis B | Bearing plate |
| Bearing-cap diameter | 1.938 in. |
| Bearing-cap diameter | 49.225 mm |
| Overall span, axis A | 7.547 in. |
| Overall span, axis B | 7.547 in. |
| Overall span | 191.694 mm |
| Distance between mounting bolts | 2.437 in. |
| Lubrication type | Greaseable |
| Grease-fitting location | Side of cross |
| Grease fitting included | Yes |
| Pre-greased | No |
| Mounting hardware included | Yes |
| Material | Steel |
| Country of origin | Mexico |
| VMRS code | 024-002-046 |
| Tariff code | 8708998180 |
| Package quantity | 1 kit |
Dana catalogs the joint as symmetrical, with the same 1.938-inch bearing diameter, 7.547-inch span, and 2.437-inch bolt spacing on both axes.
Cross-references and alternatives
Dana’s official Spicer Select interchange chart lists the following corresponding 1810-series numbers:
- Dana Spicer 5-281X
- Dana Spicer Select 25-281X
- Meritor CP281X
- Neapco 6-0281
- NewStar/S&S S-9347
The 25-281X is Dana’s Spicer Select aftermarket alternative for older or post-warranty vehicles. It shares the published 1810-series dimensions and bearing-plate configuration, but it belongs to a different Dana product line than the Genuine Spicer 5-281X.
Related Dana numbers
- 5-281XVB — Genuine Spicer volume-buy version of the 5-281X; primarily a purchasing or packaging designation
- 5-281-4X — legacy greaseable 1810-series bearing-plate joint with four grease fittings; listed by Dana as obsolete/discontinued
- 25-281X — Spicer Select replacement option
- 5-676X — related 1810-series hybrid joint with a bearing plate on one axis and a round bearing cup on the other; not a direct replacement for the full-round 5-281X
The legacy 5-281-4X has the same published 1.938-inch bearing diameter, 7.547-inch span and 2.437-inch bolt spacing, but its four-zerk lubrication arrangement differs from the current 5-281X. Application and maintenance requirements should be confirmed before substitution.
