Drive Shaft U-Joints

[DLangston]

Just had both rear drive shaft u-joints replaced by dealership. They charged me $264 labor and $80 a piece for the parts. I think I got ripped off! As described in many other posts I had the "rumble strip vibration" especially when coasting or slowing down. 2003 6spd 4x4 113,400 miles.

 

[JCasper]

Yes you did. The parts are $27 each at NAPA and they are greasable joints. As far as the labor goes you can do it yourself or take the driveline into a driveline shop and I bet it would of been cheaper and balanced.



BTW, there are 3 joints on the rear driveline.

 

[rbattelle]

BTW, there are 3 joints on the rear driveline.

Not on short bed trucks.



Ryan

 

[Schrowang]

U-Joints

Had both the front and rear joints replaced by the dealer at 62K. Only cost me $100. 00 on the warrantee.

 

[JCasper]

Not on short bed trucks.



Ryan

OK, I don't have a SB and have never been under one. You got me there.

 

[DZink24]

Had both the front and rear joints replaced by the dealer at 62K. Only cost me $100. 00 on the warrantee.

Ha. Gotcha beat. 24,000 miles. Mostly highway. No fueling or power mods. Garbage.

 

[RodMorris]

Not on short bed trucks.



Ryan

Or on long bed trucks with the regular cab.

 

[MChessick]

Just replaced all 3 joints and the carrier bearing last weekend on my 03 quad dually. $27. 00 per joint, $140. 00 for the carrier bearing ( dealer only part).

Put the joints in myself, used sockets and BFH. had to get the dealer press off the carrier bearing and press on the new one. $90. 00 for the press work. What a scam!! This was the first joint replacement at 163k.



Mark

 

[TMills]

Ok, two questions:
How do you know when you have a bad u-joint? Maybe describe the vibration alittle more.

How can you tell which u-joint is bad?

 

[JCasper]

Ok, two questions:

How do you know when you have a bad u-joint? Maybe describe the vibration alittle more.



How can you tell which u-joint is bad?

I had a very bad vibration that would happen when slowing down. It would vibrate around 20-40MPH.



You can tell which one is bad by crawling underneath after you drive for a while and feeling them. My bad joint was very HOT. I couldn't hold my hand on it.



I have only replaced the center joint so far. I did that at 52K.

 

[RDusch]

Just replaced all 3 joints and the carrier bearing last weekend on my 03 quad dually. $27. 00 per joint, $140. 00 for the carrier bearing ( dealer only part).
Mark

Napa stocks the replacement carrier bearing $69, and it's quit a bit heavier duty than stock and drops the center down 1/2". Napa Bearing Item#: BRGHB88508

Rick

 

[Blakers]

I've replaced the far back one twice and the third one (greaseable Precision 351) has one cap that is not getting grease and is starting to go bad. The first one to go bad was replaced under warrantee at under 35,000 miles.

I've replaced both front axle joints and one is bad again at about 6,000 miles.

 

[JCasper]

Napa stocks the replacement carrier bearing $69, and it's quit a bit heavier duty than stock and drops the center down 1/2". Napa Bearing Item#: BRGHB88508



Rick

Thanks for that info. I am planning on going through my driveline including the carrier bearing sometime this winter.

 

[TGroves]

if you where under a 100,000 miles it would be 100. 00 deductable per the warranty on the motor and power train

 

[Smokin_Monster]

My experience is that the cheaper Napa greasables are junk and they fall apart after about a week or tow of driving. Spend the $80 for the good Spicer u joints at the dealer or about half that at Six States or probably any good drivline shop. Cheaper aint always better.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Which cheaper Napa joints have you had probs with? The Precisions get pretty good reviews around here.

 

[DLangston]

Thanks for all the info. Now I'm in the shop for a power steering pump and hydroboost r/r. Don't know the damage on that yet. Hopefully this will be all for a while... .

 

[Smokin_Monster]

They were the greasable ones. I think I paid around $16 for them. I got sick of replacing them every couple weeks.

 

[AKaiser]

Had both the front and rear joints replaced by the dealer at 62K. Only cost me $100. 00 on the warrantee.

That was my cost, as well, due to deductible at the same miles, more or less. They also only charged me $25 for the rental vehicle, which was a 2wd 1500. Said the total cost of parts was about $225.

 

[JKennedy]

Go to Fleet Pride

I had my rear driveshaft u-joints replaced about a year and a half ago and with Spicer u joints from Fleet Pride. I removed my driveshaft (reg cab long bed so no center carrier and only two joints) and took it directly to Fleet Pride. They replaced the joints with grease-able joints and balanced the shaft for $120 including tax. Took ten minutes to reinstall and down the road I went. Before I did this I went to the dealer and they wanted $100 per joint, then labor for changing them. If you don't mind lying on your back in your driveway for twenty minutes, then do it yourself. That’s my experience.