I just reread your original post. If the only problem you are having is getting the cups in and it is real close and looks like the proper part is in your hand but doesn't want to go , check the size of your cup to the size of the bore with some dial calipers. If it is only off a few thousands your problem may be the yoke needs to be cleaned up , surfaces smoothed and any ridges removed. Very , very common problem when fitting a new U-joint to an old yoke.

First time in O Riley's they said we give a veteran's discount. Great I said, so next time I went in they said oh we only give a veterans discount on certain items. Last time I went in there.

Around here we have O'Reilly's and Auto Zone.
Auto Zone can't find their arse with both hands, it's almost a guarantee that you will get the wrong part.
O'REILLY'S is usually decent. But don't buy their electric fuel pumps. They're JUNK.
We also have a NAPA/Benware. I can't afford to buy parts from them anymore.
I get most of my parts from O'Reilly's, needless to say

And how exactly would that work for people that say, have Tundra brakes on their first gen Tacoma?

My method is to figure out the part number on my own, then go in and ask for the part number. If it is the wrong part it is on me

I get corporate discount pricing at the Napa by my plant. The plant buys a lot from them and extends the discounts to us. I don't know it is so much off different items or a flat line % off the total but it saved my $5 off the 1200 w battery jump box I bought last week. That was around 100$

a parts store is only as good as the folks they hire to run it. I double check everything b4 I leave. better yet I do order some stuff right off their website an have it rdy to be picked up at local store. (I've got a better chance at ordering the right part)

Rock auto if I can wait. Oreilly’s if I can’t. I have to know what part is needed. Dealership parts require the vin for a reason. To know exactly what is needed.

Take the old u jolt and match is only way.

Be sure old cup came out with old U Joint.

How in the heck did you bend a needle bearing?????

"Correct terminology"

That is where I am at today with starter wire.
Not the 2 ga cable but the little ones.
It is part of the job and I WILL win lol.

I had a ford ranger that I could never remember the brake size. They always asked is it the 7" or 9" , or something to that effect. I always guessed and had to make another trip back in to get the right one. Heres an idea, make an 8" brake for all of them......

Followed by.

I work on and build old trucks. I wouldn't even dream about going to any auto parts store without the old u-joint in hand. I'd bring the yoke too if I could, and dial calipers

So true. Buutttttt..... don't underestimate the general public.......yeesh.......

Years ago I worked at a Dodge dealership as a service writer. Big part of the job was filling out the repair order with the customer. Standard stuff , name , address , phone number and what service they needed on done on their car.

Then the tough questions.....

" What model year car ? "
Cust - " Oh , this year "
Translation, it could be a 2025 , 2024 , or even a leftover 2023 that finally got sold. But to their owners , it was ' this year ' because it was new in the owner's eyes.

" What model of car is it ?
Cust - " It's a Dodge "
Meanwhile I'm thinking hmmmmm.....I work in a Dodge dealership and see 95% work go through my shop , Dodge.
A lot of people have no idea what model car they own.

"Licence plate ? "
Cust - " ???? I gotta go look "
Forgivable. Lots of people don't know their license plate number. Not a big deal. But smart people when bringing a car in for service would know to bring that information and the mileage.

And the best for last.........

About 1 out of 75-100 customers would fail this question -

" What color is your car? "

God's honest truth , about 1 out of 75-100 people would have to walk outside to glance at their car and immediately come to tell you it was X color. Plus , just looking for a basic color not gunmetal shade or other, just call it gray or silver on the repair order. It was kinda like they knew what their car looked like remembering a face , but could not describe it. Not even able to name of any color group . Once you asked them the question , it kinda fixed the glitch in their brain and from that day forward they knew the car's color. No one probably ever asked them before.