Patent ID: 6860815

Claim:
A universal joint assembly comprising: a first yoke member; a second yoke member, a cross member including a central body portion with a first pair of trunnions coupled to said first yoke member and a second pair of trunnions coupled to said second yoke member wherein said cross member includes an internal lubrication channel in fluid communication with each of said first and second pairs of trunnions; an external lubrication fitting supported by said cross member and in fluid communication with said internal lubrication channel; and a fluid pressure member supported by said cross member and in fluid communication with said internal lubrication channel wherein an internal fluid pressure is generated within said cross member in response to a lubricating fluid being supplied to said internal lubrication channel via said external lubrication fitting and wherein said fluid pressure member indicates a first operating condition when said internal fluid pressure is below a predetermined pressure value and indicates a second operating condition different than said first operating condition when said internal fluid pressure exceeds said predetermined pressure value, said fluid pressure member including a first component movable relative to an external surface of said cross member and a second component resiliently biasing said first component and wherein said first component moves between a first position in said first operating condition where said first component engages said external surface of said cross member and a second position in said second operating condition wherein at least a portion of said first component is moved out of engagement with said external surface.