Front Axle Shaft U Joint

[jhpfennig]

I'm in the process of having the dealer replace the right front axle u joint on my 2005 3500 4x4 with 63,000 miles on the odometer. The left side was changed in 2010 @ 49,000 miles. Not very good life expectancy for a vehicle that has never been driven off road except in campgrounds. I'd rather not replace with a OEM joint even though it's still under warranty. What would you recommend for a replacement joint that will last and be greaseable ? I'm even willing to pay for the part as the dealer will install what I furnish. Thanks for your help.

 

[SWithrow]

It has been my experience when having my truck worked on at the Stealership is they will put only OEM parts on, if you are wanting aftermarket parts installed then you would have to do it yourself or have a local shop do the work.

 

[jhpfennig]

They will install whatever I furnish but may not give me credit for the parts. At least the labor will be free. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I asked my dealer to do something like that. He claimed he couldn't use anybody else's parts for "liability" reasons. BS.

 

[TimothyLong]

I managed to get 120K out of mine. They were pretty well shot when they were replaced. Anyway, I replaced mine with Precision greasable u-joints (part # 464) with no problems so far. I do find it amazing that the dealer would do this, normally they won't (the old liability reason usually).

 

[S.Morris]

+1 on the precision 464's



OEM dealers are not allowed to install non OEM parts. It is an internal thing... .

 

[TboneMan]

My small Dodge dealership was more than happy to install a Blue Chip injection pump when I asked them to do so. So it may depend on the shops management.

 

[mwilson]

In a non-warranty situation the dealer can do whatever they want to, install NAPA, Carquest, or anything else.



What do you think they do when a customer wants his vehicle back today, but the dealer does not have the OEM part in stock???



When it is a warranty situation then the OEM parts should be used. The dealer is paid the exact price of the OEM replacement part when the claim is settled.



Mike.

 

[mattk50]

I replaced my left front with a Spicer greaseable one at 160,000. The right one is factory and still going strong @ 230,000.

 

[Mark31]

One reason why dealers must install factory parts is to protect the manufacturer against dealer fraud. If the dealer doesn't buy enough replacement parts to cover their warranty claims, they are liable to be in a mell of a hess. Years ago, a dealership in this area had its contract terminated because of bogus warranty claims.

 

[mwilson]

I have also seen shady dealers submit warranty claims for payment, and then bill the customer telling them that it was not a covered repair... ... .

Double payday... .



Mike.

 

[jhpfennig]

Turns out my dealer will not install an aftermarket u joint under warranty. If I want it done under warranty, I'm stuck with another crappy non-greaseable u joint. Thanks to everyone for their comments.

 

[Bob4x4]

Turns out my dealer will not install an aftermarket u joint under warranty. If I want it done under warranty, I'm stuck with another crappy non-greaseable u joint. Thanks to everyone for their comments.

That would be fraud,they did the right thing.

Remember the u-joint is not a Dodge part it is from the same place as the front diff

 

[SWithrow]

Depending on what is left on your warranty I would suggest that you have a local shop install a quality joint. I did mine last week and it is a bit tough but very much doable. My OEM joint went out every 40k and that was city/highway driving. Just my two cents.

 

[mwilson]

That would be fraud,they did the right thing.

Remember the u-joint is not a Dodge part it is from the same place as the front diff

Bob,



In the automotive world would American Axle ultimately take responsibility for that failed U-Joint or do they sell their axle assemblies to Dodge sans warranty like the Cummins agreement?



Mike.

 

[Bob4x4]

Bob,



In the automotive world would American Axle ultimately take responsibility for that failed U-Joint or do they sell their axle assemblies to Dodge sans warranty like the Cummins agreement?



Mike.

Maybe my post was awkward. I was just saying stop beating on Dodge so much they only bought the part not built it. I wish they would have stayed with Dana,I haven't had the best of luck with my AAM front end.

I really couldn't tell you if AAM pays on our Dodge front end claims but I do know that AAM has done some research into the aftermarket up grades we have been doing including Ball joints and they did do some upgrading in 09 iirc.

 

[Bob4x4]

Depending on what is left on your warranty I would suggest that you have a local shop install a quality joint. I did mine last week and it is a bit tough but very much doable. My OEM joint went out every 40k and that was city/highway driving. Just my two cents.

Just wondering... ... ... do you have a lot of water in your driving area?
Here in So Cal the premature u-joint issues are usually on rigs with oversize tires or many off road miles.

 

[SWithrow]

Just wondering... ... ... do you have a lot of water in your driving area?
Here in So Cal the premature u-joint issues are usually on rigs with oversize tires or many off road miles.

Rain it’s not too bad here. It could have been the 315 BFGs I had on it for the past 6 years causing the deterioration of some components. I installed the 285,s and the steering is much easer to use, the truck drives and steers 100% better with the 285's.

I was into the replacement of most of the frontend components this past month due to bad balljoints & tie rod ends so I figured that while I had the frontend disassembled I would replace the last set of OEMs with serviceable joints.

 

[jhpfennig]

My powertrain warranty runs out 11/17/2012. I'm trying to get everything fixed before it expires. To extend my warranty thru EasyCare vehicle service contracts, recommended by my Ram dealer, it would cost me $3500 for a 36 mo/36,000 mile $100 deductible plan. If their pricing works like it used to when I sold contracts while working for International trucks, we had a 100% markup. Which means that policy only cost the dealer around $1700. I'm sure the business manager gets a hefty commision. Any thoughts what I should do ? Roll the dice, let my warranty expire and depend on the TDR for help ? You guys are great, saved me a ton of money.

 

[Bob4x4]

My powertrain warranty runs out 11/17/2012. I'm trying to get everything fixed before it expires. To extend my warranty thru EasyCare vehicle service contracts, recommended by my Ram dealer, it would cost me $3500 for a 36 mo/36,000 mile $100 deductible plan. If their pricing works like it used to when I sold contracts while working for International trucks, we had a 100% markup. Which means that policy only cost the dealer around $1700. I'm sure the business manager gets a hefty commision. Any thoughts what I should do ? Roll the dice, let my warranty expire and depend on the TDR for help ? You guys are great, saved me a ton of money.

The service contract companies send out adjusters on many pricey repairs so if you have any mods you will be shot down in most cases. Save your money