Front U-joints---HELP!!!

[TSPowell]

Pretty sure my front driver side u-joint is SHOT!! A couple of months ago, the truck acted like it was in 4 wheel drive when I turned. I did some searching, and a few guys said it was the front U-joints. Last night I was driving slow to listen to my truck, and the noise coming from the front axles when I turn is awful. I have to get it fixed NOW. My truck's not under warranty, so thats not an option. I DON'T want to get raped by the dealer. What are my options??? Anything aftermarket, AutoZone, anything?

 

[jwilliams3]

Napa has them Precision #464

 

[bighammer]

Read up on the posts for removing the hub/bearing assembly first. The part is realatively cheap, but the chances of getting at it is sort of a crap shoot. (with worse odds if you're in salt country for 6 months of the year)

 

[TSPowell]

I just happened to stop by the local Dodge dealer. I asked them what it would cost to replace both fronts. He said it depends how many miles I had. I told him just under 70,000, and he said its still under warranty then. I went to look at the odometer before we moved forward and it read 69,999. IM SERIOUS!!! But then he noticed I had several mods to my truck and said he'll have to talk to the service manager. I had the muffler and kitty sitting in the bed of my truck, I replaced them yesterday. He said the engine warranty is 100,000 miles but with exhaust mod its no good. He said it spools the turbo to fast. I looked at him and said "thats why its got a wastegate. " I said it pretty sarcastically, and he wasn't amused. I don't care, I hate dealerships anyways. But, when he talks to the service manager about my "situation", they'll call me and tell my if they can replace my u-joints for the $100 deductible. I really hope so, just pretty funny I walked in there 1 mile before the warranty ends. My luck they wont honor it!

 

[TSPowell]

Why I Hate Dealerships

SO, the service manager from the dealership just called me back about my "warranty issue. " He said that he cant honor the warranty, but he'll make me a deal (its always a deal, right?) He said that the front driverside u-joint was shot and the brakes are bad. So he was going to charge me the $100 dollar deductable for the u-joint and replace my front brakes for a total of $360. That was the DEAL. I asked what the cost of replacing in the ONE u-joint, and he said $400. ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!!! I told him I would be right over to pick it up, and I'll fix it myself. Unfortunately I don't have the place or tools to fix this right now. Im going to shop around for a mech shop in the area and see if they are going to charge me $400 to change on u-joint. So if anyone knows a good mech in the Fort Collins, CO area let me know soon!!!!

 

[CPittman]

Like jwilliams3 said, get the Precision 464's from NAPA - they come with the grease zerks, unlike my stock '04 parts.



Those things can be a pain to replace, so I just took the NAPA parts to the Dodge house and had their guy bust his knuckles. Shop a different Dodge dealer and see what their labor would be... oh, and get your brakes done...

 

[Cattletrkr]

I had one of my front u-joints go out a while ago, truck was still under warranty. Dealer replaced BOTH for the $100 deduc. They didn't even give a second thought to the massive 245/70/19. 5's they had to take off to get at them. They knew the truck was chipped months before the joints went.



Some dealers "get it" others don't. Mine does.