Steady Bearing & U-Joints

[Slow Six]

I was on a short trip Friday and when I slowed down and stopped there was a serious vibration and shudder. The same vibration was there When I started to move. It would quit after reaching about 20 mph. When I got home I had a look at the driveline and found the rubber support around the steady bearing was torn. The rear u-joint also has some play in it. There is only about 40,000 on the truck. Has anyone else had early failure of these parts? It looks like I will be forced to use Mopar parts as my local parts place doesn't even have a listing for these yet.

 

[EB]

More than likely your rear u-joint is gone. Had the same problem. Mine made it to a little over 100K before giving it up. Pull your rear u-joint, can almost guarantee part of it will be frozen up.

 

[Northerner]

Originally posted by Slow Six

Has anyone else had early failure of these parts? It looks like I will be forced to use Mopar parts as my local parts place doesn't even have a listing for these yet.

DITTO for me as of two days ago. Parts are back ordered. :{

 

[Khood]

If you haven;t replaced the joint yet you might try a single

shaft without the flimsy center carrier bearing from dodge. Go to

a driveshaft place and see what they'd recommend,of course they would have to be the ones to make it for you.

I did this on my LB quad cab 6 speed HO when I installed a overdrive unit . Much smoother that factory setup.

 

[Peter Campbell]

The factory also does not like the two piece driveshaft. I think there might be a rule on the maximum driveshaft length. So a driveline shop may not do it. They may be able to replace the entire assembly with a tougher one though.

 

[Mathew Clausen]

My center section u-joint failed at 24k - one cap dry. Wish they factory would put grease fittings on .....

 

[bighammer]

There is another U joint thread (maybe in the engine/trans forum) that has some part numbers for a greaseable replacement.



I got some at NAPA for the the front axle and rear shaft. My front left is binding real bad-- Might replace it tonight. (only 23K miles )

 

[chi440]

Mine went at 48k - shuddered terrible with a load - Memorial weekend friday - found a dealer about 75 miles away - made it just before they closed - Yee Haw.....

 

[goodwid]

Rear U-Joint

I had my rear U-Joint replaced yesterday. Dried right out, only have 60 Kms, (38 K miles).



Mine started to howl and vibrate at high speeds.