Front Axle U-Joints?

[JCJohnson]

I was curious what is the life expectancy of the axle u-joints at the tires on an AA axle? I have a 2008 Mega-Cab 2500 4x4 with 68,000 miles. The cup on the drivers side u-joint is starting to oval out. Is this covered by the drivetrain or is the 100,000 warranty cover that? It still frustrates me that a vehicle of this caliber doesn't have greaseable u-joints. I would love to change it to lockable/rebuildable hubs but I'll have to save up some funds.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I got about 80K out of mine and thats with no off-roading.

 

[Kamper Dave]

I got a 100K out of mine but they were very badly worn. The front hubs were rusted into place so I ended up with two new hubs which included new bearings and ABS sensors. (This Ram 2500 has never seen a snow covered road or SALT). I also had the ball joints replaced at the same time. The new ball joints and the new u-joints ARE greaseable. The mechanic showed me the old hubs and you could see where the metal was galled upon removal. They now are coated with anti-seize.

 

[Wayne M.]

I put a Spyntec kit in a bit over a year ago. I wasn't having any trouble with ujoints, a hub was loosening up. Upon dissassembly, I had a cooked cup. Dust came out and it showed no sign. I recommend doing a free spin kit as soon as possible. I have no regrets with mine- worth every penny. I put greasable precisions in.
As far as the life expectancy of sealed U joints go, it's kinda luck of the draw. I've seen some joints go an incredible life, but you have to remember that in the scope of what a joint has to do, that position has a hard job dealing with heavy angles in turns, hard exposure to the elements, etc.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

My front axle u-jts. went bad at 95k miles. Had new ones and hubs installed but the u-jts (non-greaseable)went bad again at 121k miles.
Now I have greaseable u-jts and hopefully they will last while I own this truck.

 

[AH64ID]

I was curious what is the life expectancy of the axle u-joints at the tires on an AA axle? I have a 2008 Mega-Cab 2500 4x4 with 68,000 miles. The cup on the drivers side u-joint is starting to oval out. Is this covered by the drivetrain or is the 100,000 warranty cover that? It still frustrates me that a vehicle of this caliber doesn't have greaseable u-joints. I would love to change it to lockable/rebuildable hubs but I'll have to save up some funds.

I am fairly certain u-joints are a wear item, and are only covered for 12mo/12K.

I pulled mine out at 85K miles and they were fine.

As far as greasable there is a much bigger following for sealed these days. The greasable joints are weaker, based on being drilled for grease to flow. They also don't have near the seal that the non-greasable ones do, which allows grime to enter the joint between greasing and can wear the joint out faster.

None of the driveline shops I talked to about having my u-joints replaced this spring (when I did the spin free kit) recommended anything but the OEM joint, they said they were having the best luck with it over aftermarket joints. Spicer makes a nice replacement, but fitment issues are common and the shops quit installing them unless the customer really wanted them.

 

[jeepit]

Is there anyway to get a grease needle in the non greaseables just to shoot some grease in there? or will this provide an entry for moisture.

I have 106k of mine and concerned how much more they can last.

 

[AH64ID]

I would just leave them alone.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have seen the ears on the axle shafts spread with more use than average. Randy's ring and pinion offers an upgrade axle for those cases at an attractive price

 

[Bater]

That clicking sound...

Yup, after hearing some clicking the last few days I jacked up the front end of the '08 tonight and the passenger side u-joint is toast at 105k miles, out of warranty.



Just made a service appointment request, no sudden moves till then.



Driver's side u-joint was replaced under warranty around 85k miles, dealership mechanic caught that one when I took the truck in for other issues. Same clicking sound that, at the time, I couldn't put my finger on. Happens with sharp hard slow speed turns which I frequently make turning onto switchback roads in PA, or engagement of 4wd, which I will need soon!



Now kicking myself wondering if the passenger side could have been out of tolerance when I had the ball joints replaced under warranty at 97k miles.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Yea mine were about 110,000 or so when the went.

 

[AH64ID]

Bater, did you have an extended warranty? Those items should have only been covered under the original basic warranty, 3/36.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The powertrain warranty is now 5 years, 100,000 miles.

 

[AH64ID]

The powertrain warranty is now 5 years, 100,000 miles.

Was that a change for 2008?

http://www.ramtrucks.com/shared/pdf/warranty/2008_Ram_Diesel_1-40.pdf

 

[jwduke]

My ball joint died at 46XXX miles. I replaced them with new Dynatrac ball joints, a Spyntec freewheel kit & Precision U-Joints. No problems so far, plus a MUCH better driving truck, and 2 wheel low in the transfer case. I might have got a mile more per gallon, but that wasn't the reason I bought this kit. If you are, it will take forever for the payoff to come.

 

[Motorhead]

Yup, after hearing some clicking the last few days I jacked up the front end of the '08 tonight and the passenger side u-joint is toast at 105k miles, out of warranty.

Just made a service appointment request, no sudden moves till then.

Driver's side u-joint was replaced under warranty around 85k miles, dealership mechanic caught that one when I took the truck in for other issues. Same clicking sound that, at the time, I couldn't put my finger on. Happens with sharp hard slow speed turns which I frequently make turning onto switchback roads in PA, or engagement of 4wd, which I will need soon!

Now kicking myself wondering if the passenger side could have been out of tolerance when I had the ball joints replaced under warranty at 97k miles.

View attachment 86607

MAN I would sure not want to be the poor guy that has to re-work that front end!! Good ole' ROAD SALT!

 

[Bater]

Bater, did you have an extended warranty? Those items should have only been covered under the original basic warranty, 3/36.

Yes, I did buy the extended warranty. It covered more things but not everything in the first 100k. For instance steering damper and drivers side window switch bracket came out of my pocket. That and the ridiculously expensive tailpipe assembly.



I figure I probably came out about even on the cost of the warranty versus the various repairs. Then again, one could make the point that these components should have lasted longer. anyhow.

 

[Bater]

View attachment 86607



MAN I would sure not want to be the poor guy that has to re-work that front end!! Good ole' ROAD SALT!

You know it.



The mechanic that did the first one told me that there was a fair amount of beating involved to get the assembly apart. Then, when put back together, there was a noticeable vibration at highway speed. Spent half a day at the dealer where at first they told me it was my tires, bent rim, etc, you know my fault. After the mechanic and I took the truck for two different expressway test drives, and he had it on the lift two times, did he discover that some chunks of rust had gotten dislodged when he did the initial repair making the wheel fit slightly off balance. (The mechanic was a good guy, unfortunate that dealer no longer does Dodge. )

 

[Yo Hoot]

I get under my truck at least once a year with a couple of cans of black rust converter spray paint. Really helps keep the rust from taking over. I just hit all the places I see rust beginning to form.

 

[seafish]

Here is a good read on front u-joints, though it IS biased towards the Spicer line, but good info nonetheless--

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-shaft/index4.html