How long should front u-joints last

[TWhetten]

I have an '03 one ton with 75,000 mile and the front u-joints a shot. How long should they last. It seems like that is not very long for them to last. I don't think that the four wheel drive has been used that much.



Also I noticed that everything in the 4x4 system spins all the way to the transfer case. Is this normal? Are that any aftermarket manual hubs that can be put on it.

 

[chazj]

I have an 02 Dodge which was when Dodge got away from CAD. Thus everything now turns all the time. Have 104,000 miles on the truck so far... keeping my fingers crossed as I would imagine the cost of replacement of U-joints is expensive.



Just a guess but I would imagine the aftermarket has a way to go back to manual hubs if one so desires.

 

[Demons_Ram]

Here's what your looking for on the manual conversion. http://www.dynatrac.com/products_freespin_dodge.html



Comments on Spicer u-joints

http://www.4xshaft.com/ujoint_diff.html



http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/dek350.aspx

 

[Slow Six]

They should last for a couple of hundred thousand plus, but it seems starting with the 03's U joints can and will go real early. I only have about 140,000kms. on my truck and I have had to replace every U joint, two of them the second time including the axle U joints. I replaced all mine with Precision greaseables as this is about the only choice i had.

 

[Gotdezul]

How long Should they last, or how long do they last? They should last a very long time, as Twhetten said. But how long they do last is another question. 46k miles and I've done both in the rear drive shaft, and both of the outer fronts are starting to go, will be replaced in the next month or so. IMO, that's not right. Most everyody is replacing with precision greasables, and it seems to help the problem. They were the same in my '00 1500. All joints in the truck were done before 50K, but didn't have another problem before I got rid of that junk @ 120k

 

[steved]

I have an '03 one ton with 75,000 mile and the front u-joints a shot. How long should they last. It seems like that is not very long for them to last. I don't think that the four wheel drive has been used that much.



Also I noticed that everything in the 4x4 system spins all the way to the transfer case. Is this normal? Are that any aftermarket manual hubs that can be put on it.

My dad has 235K on his original joints in his 99... I had 201K in my 99 as well. My 04. 5 toasted ALL the joints by 75k. Ohh, and the 99 was all Spicer... the newer stuff is AAM... it's all the AAM stuf that seems to be giving issues. But both systems are spinning all the time...



As far as aftermarket hubs... there is dynatrac, but...



steved

 

[JDinNY]

I replaced them in my '03 at 43,000 mi. I replaced them in my '95 at 203,000. Factory is using junk parts today.

 

[radar doctor]

what are the best joints to use? brand? etc? aprox costs... Tks Doc

 

[steved]

what are the best joints to use? brand? etc? aprox costs... Tks Doc

I used NeapCo (custom ground) in the rear shaft... used precision in the front.



The fronts ran $40 each... the rears were about the same...



steved

 

[CMNS PWR]

I've got 129k on my 03 and the front left is definitely on its last leg.

 

[MNielsen]

Question on these joints wearing out early? Are they crap or are the driveline angles causing these failures? Is DC warrantying them?

 

[steved]

Question on these joints wearing out early? Are they crap or are the driveline angles causing these failures? Is DC warrantying them?

Lack of grease... the one I took apart has very little grease in it...



steved

 

[Diesel Dually]

My '05 doesn't have enough miles on it yet at 6K to have any ujoint issues. But, when they do go they will be replaced with greasable units with the small needle bearings. Does anyone know if the OEM units are using the small or the large needle bearings? When you buy a new joint pop one of the caps off and take a look.

My '96 has 86K and the rear driveshaft has originals, the front driveshaft has had two front joints and one set in the CV (transfer case end). I have replaced both axle ujoints twice and find that moisture is what takes them out. I grease them much more often now. The thing that hurts the most with the axle joints is if you can't get the hub bearing assm. to come off it gets expensive. I make sure I use allot of never seize now. Since I use this truck for plowing snow I'm not surprised (doesn't mean I like it though) by the ujoint failures. My '79 Ford F250 gave the same service from it's ujoints.

 

[steved]

The needles in the precision joints are small from what I remember... about the same as the OEMs.



I still think you will find the issue stems from lack of sufficient lubricant at build... the "good" joint I took apart had almost no grease in it...



steved

 

[DKlimas]

Ok, I'm almost too embarassed to ask, but how do you know when the joints are bad?



Cheers, Dave

 

[steved]

Ok, I'm almost too embarassed to ask, but how do you know when the joints are bad?



Cheers, Dave

When my rear driveshaft joints went bad, it started with a squeeking... then vibrating because the joint started to seize... unfortunately I had to drive about 300 miles with them seizing... the vibration would almost hum it was so bad.



When the front axle joints went bad, the only indication was when I would make a turn, it would "wobble" like it was in 4wd. If you jack the front tires off the ground and turn them to the "lock", they will have "tight" spots when you spin them. Sometimes they will also squeek when turning if they aren't really bad...



steved

 

[Jeremiah]

How to tell?

You can tell when U-Joints are going bad by a rumbling or grinding sound at slow speeds, particularing when turning. There won't be any mistaking it and you will want to get where you're going real fast. And that would be a good thing to do. Mine went out at less than 50K. Make sure whoever does it rebalances the drive shaft. My dealer tried to say it wasn't necessary (he sends them out instead of doing it inhouse) and I had to show him that it was.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Ohh, and the 99 was all Spicer... the newer stuff is AAM... it's all the AAM stuf that seems to be giving issues.

My front driveshaft and it's factory SPICER joints are going to a specialty shop tomorrow 'cause it's fubar'd. I don't recall which joint specifically, but at least one of the factory joints has "spicer" stamped on the endcap.



EDIT: I nearly got shook out of the cab last week. Couldn't find a loose or obviously binding joint but 1 corner of one of the front joint felt warmer than the rest. After removing the font shaft, my vibe is gone. Can't tell yet which joint is bad but I'm 99% certain it's one of the 2 nearest the t-case (CV?). That's the sucker that's fubar'd. My feeble attempt at disassembly with a blue wrench :-laf might turn out to have been a bad idea.

 

[steved]

My front driveshaft and it's factory SPICER joints are going to a specialty shop tomorrow 'cause it's fubar'd. I don't recall which joint specifically, but at least one of the factory joints has "spicer" stamped on the endcap.



EDIT: I nearly got shook out of the cab last week. Couldn't find a loose or obviously binding joint but 1 corner of one of the front joint felt warmer than the rest. After removing the font shaft, my vibe is gone. Can't tell yet which joint is bad but I'm 99% certain it's one of the 2 nearest the t-case (CV?). That's the sucker that's fubar'd. My feeble attempt at disassembly with a blue wrench :-laf might turn out to have been a bad idea.

Yeah, the CV joint is still Spicer.



steved

 

[Mr.Goat]

Well I might as well chime in here. I just replaced both mine at the front wheels at 71000 miles,(2003), another guy I know in the next village with a 2005 just did his at 7800 miles. !!! So how long do they last?... not very long.

The kicker; there's only one type of decent joint available in my area, nongreasable, at $157. 00 apiece. You guy's in the States seem to have a greater aftermarket parts bin to choose from, your very lucky to have such choice ,and thus much lower costs.