At less than 24,000 miles, is this possible?

[DZink24]

23,9xx miles, and I have a squeak from what sounds like the drivers side rear wheel, and a clunk from somewhere underneath. Do I even whisper the words ball joints and wheel bearings at such low miles? 2004 4x4

 

[DBentley]

jack it up and see. If not balljoints check lower shock bolts for tightness and also being egg shaped from wear.

Good luck

 

[NUKEMAN]

Do I even whisper the words ball joints and wheel bearings at such low miles? 2004 4x4

It's very possible. Many have had to have both replaced before 25k. I am one of the lucky few. 70k and OEM ball joints, U-Joints, and wheel bearings. Could be any day. At least you are still well within your warrantyOo.

 

[DZink24]

Nope. Whereas I am well below 36K miles, I am over the factory time limit. I did purchase the 5 yr/85K x-tended warranty, but I quickly glanced at the brochure and it says it does not cover squeaks/rattles ect. Oh yeah, and I pulled the muffler last year, that mod must have caused the problem .



I'll keep ya posted, as to what the dealer says.

 

[bkaiser]

I have a low mileage '03 (37600). Last spring, the squeek/start shudder I had from the center/rear of the truck went away. It was replaced by a hopping. The center u-joint on the rear drive shaft seized. After messing around with various joints from several sources, I took all the parts to the local Fleet Pride shop. They found a set of Spicer joints that fit and can be lubed. Set me back about $120, parts and labor for three joints. The joints that came out were totally dry. The one that seized really didn't have any rollers left. If you have the original u-joints, listen close. Four winters of salt killed mine, not the mileage.

 

[DZink24]

Update, and a related question

I have a low mileage '03 (37600). Last spring, the squeek/start shudder I had from the center/rear of the truck went away. It was replaced by a hopping. The center u-joint on the rear drive shaft seized. After messing around with various joints from several sources, I took all the parts to the local Fleet Pride shop. They found a set of Spicer joints that fit and can be lubed. Set me back about $120, parts and labor for three joints. The joints that came out were totally dry. The one that seized really didn't have any rollers left. If you have the original u-joints, listen close. Four winters of salt killed mine, not the mileage.

You got it. Its amazing what a dry blacktop driveway and the first 50 degree day in 3 months can do for ya. My dad got underneath today and twisted the rear driveshaft and it darn near came off in his hand. So, that being said, I gotta call the dealer tomorrow to see if they will honor my $1500 extended warranty to replace both rear universals.

If they do not- what part numbers or aftermarket, upgraded U-joints are out there we can use on our 3G?

 

[bkaiser]

My truck was built in October '02, and none of the joints that Autozone/PepBoys/NAPA/Advance listed fit in the Chrysler yokes. What Fleet Pride installed was the Spicer 5-188X, which was dimensionally the same as the OEM Spicer, but has zerk fittings. They charged me $26. 10 per joint and $12 each to install.



Ask the dealer if they will be installing the OEM non-greasable joints. Your call if the warranty deductible is worth it to put the same parts back in.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I replaced the factory rear joint at 45K with a Precision 351. The center one went out at 55K and took the rear with it. The second rear and the center were replaced under warranty, yes my dealer covered the Precision because they "get it". Closing in on 100K with non-greaseable factory replacements. If the dealer greases them when they put them in, they should be a lot better than the ones that weren't greased at the factory.



So yes, I've lost a joint in 10K, no reason something can't be going at 24K.

 

[DZink24]

Well, I made the appointment for friday to have both U joints replaced. I need to stop in tomorrow to see if they can put in greaseable ones, and to be sure my warranty will cover it. Its a 100 dollar deductable, I figure since these buggers may be corroded beyond recognition, I will let the dealer worry about getting them off. And since labor is about 96 bucks an hour, it is like getting the materials for free.

 

[PToombs]

Probably that smarty test twisted them up! :-laf

 

[DZink24]

Probably that smarty test twisted them up! :-laf

Yeah yeah, ok silly, go back to the 1st gen forums... :-laf

Don't say that too loud, the dealer will hear ya and definitely void the warranty! "It was only an 1/8th of a mile. . and a TON of smoke... "

 

[MCummings]

Yeah yeah, ok silly, go back to the 1st gen forums... :-laf

Don't say that too loud, the dealer will hear ya and definitely void the warranty! "It was only an 1/8th of a mile. . and a TON of smoke... "

How much does smoke weigh anyway?



You might be over your GCWR...



Merrick