Ujoint change

[Wolffman]

I think my ujoints are bad. My truck is at the dealership right now. If it is ujoints how long will it take for them to replace and how much do you think it will cost? Also is it real hard to do. Does it hurt to drive on them if they are out.

 

[bmoeller]

Since the truck is still pretty new, they shouldn't be bad to replace. Ought to come apart fairly easily. Most u-joints for pickups, I think, are generally in the $14-35 range. As far as driving with bad ones, it depends on how bad they are. I've seen some pretty bad ones that didn't come apart on their own. If the needle bearings fall out, then you run the risk of the cross ruining the yoke ends, from the hammering effect. Or the cross breaks the bearing cup, and it lets go.

 

[roadking]

dredded u joint

mine went the other day if you have never done it before,let the dealer or someone with tools and knowalge do it for you dealer wants $130 for the same one i got at nappa (#351) $23. 95 fyi 37,000 miles mine went

 

[DPKetchum]

There covered 7/70 powertrain. Dealer is suppose to have a memo on replacments. To pull the caps and install some GREASE! Known VENDOR problem. The u/joint and ball joint issue everyone that has a problem NO matter the mileage ought to call and have D. C. open a file. I'd ask for asskistance even if they turn it down it opens a file on a KNOWN problem. 1800-992-1997 is the number to call. Mods or no mods. Reguardless of mileage. To many u/joints and ball joints failing.

 

[Wolffman]

thanks for the replies guys. I had a bad ujoint and they replaced it for $100. 00. I will definetely call that number and tell them. The dealer said they weren't covered under the warranty. I have 52,500miles. I miss my old dana's i never had one problem with those axles or any ujoints in my old truck.

 

[chi440]

They sure are covered under the 7-70 powertrain warranty - $100 deductable. .



had an 03 and both joints in the rear shaft went about 3 months apart and at the time of the second the outer front drive axle joints were shot - truck was stock and only went far enough off road to get into garage...

 

[DPKetchum]

I DON"T miss the OLD danas. Talk about a headache! Why do you think theres no more OLD DANAS. D. C. gave them(Dana) several last chances and told them they would change if things didn't improve. They didn't so now its AAM.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Dealer shot me a price of about $125ea, called Napa and same as mentioned above, $23. 95 or something close, and the one's from Napa are greaseable, at least the guy on the phone said they are. I haven't had any problems yet in 43k, but I ordered a couple to throw in the crossover just in case. I keep forgetting to stop in and pick them up, but that part #351 sounds familiar. This is sooo much better than a few months ago when the only place you could find them was at the dealer.

 

[rbattelle]

Precision catalog still has no listing for our application...



-Ryan

 

[dcscott]

I think I've got a u-joint going out on my '03. Last weekend I noticed a rattle sound on launch. Thought it was the exhaust pipe but have been listening all week and it sounds more like it is in the center of the truck near the rear. Two questions:

1) Are the u-joints covered under the 7/70 or not? Seems to be some conflicting comments earlier.

2) The rattle just started about 4 days ago, and is only noticable on launch. Can I make a 700 mile trip this weekend without concern? I really need to make the trip and there ain't no way I can this into a dealer without notice.

 

[rbattelle]

I think I've got a u-joint going out on my '03. Last weekend I noticed a rattle sound on launch. Thought it was the exhaust pipe but have been listening all week and it sounds more like it is in the center of the truck near the rear. Two questions:

1) Are the u-joints covered under the 7/70 or not? Seems to be some conflicting comments earlier.

2) The rattle just started about 4 days ago, and is only noticable on launch. Can I make a 700 mile trip this weekend without concern? I really need to make the trip and there ain't no way I can this into a dealer without notice.

U-joints are a 7/70 part.



I've done a lot of driving on old vehicles with bad u-joints. They make noise, and they usually make a vibration. But I've never actually had one come apart on me or otherwise cause any damage. In my opinion, you can probably make the trip but you might consider bringing along a spare joint or two "just in case".



-Ryan

 

[dcscott]

Thanks Ryan,

I'm not sure that carrying a spare joint would help me much. I can't see myself laying under the truck along side the interstate trying to pound the old one out with a rock. I've probably driven about 400-500 miles since it first started to make noise. It has gotten quite a bit louder in the process. Sure hope I can make it over and back. I've got an appointment with the local ******* for Monday.

 

[rbattelle]

Thanks Ryan,

I can't see myself laying under the truck along side the interstate trying to pound the old one out with a rock.

:-laf Well, I was thinking more along the lines of having one to take to a driveline shop if it does let loose.

Sure hope I can make it over and back. I've got an appointment with the local ******* for Monday.

Be sure to say your prayers before leaving. I'm sure it'll be fine. Just avoid racing with anyone at stoplights.



-Ryan

 

[DSutton]

Originally Posted by dcscott

Thanks Ryan,

I can't see myself laying under the truck along side the interstate trying to pound the old one out with a rock.





LMAO I would like to see this, I would even pay. Seriously, I would not recomend leaving out on a trip like that knowing you have a bad U joint.

I had a U joint go bad, kept driving, and it finally broke the joint, and shot the driveline out from under the truck. I was in the woods so it didn't get close to anyone.



Any shop, or anyone handy with a few tools should be able to chang e them out in an hour.

 

[JeffreyHahn]

I DON"T miss the OLD danas. Talk about a headache! Why do you think theres no more OLD DANAS. D. C. gave them(Dana) several last chances and told them they would change if things didn't improve. They didn't so now its AAM.

AAM may be losing now. DCX has asked Dana to quote again. They are tired of AAM's arrogance and missing timing.

 

[DPKetchum]

Interesting. That I haven't heard. Danas quality went down the tubes badly. They blamed it on a retiring work force and lots of newbies working for them. What is the problem with AAM? The repeated failure rate with Dana was outa sight.

 

[rbattelle]

AAM may be losing now. DCX has asked Dana to quote again. They are tired of AAM's arrogance and missing timing.

I too find this interesting. Do you have a source for this info?



-Ryan

 

[DPKetchum]

I've been out of the loop a while and it was Dana that had a attitude and missed timing. We had replacement entire assemblys that did not make it around the block on test drives. The Grand Cherokee line was a night mare. Some days we rebuilt/replaced 6 a day some front and rear. Always had one apart or going togather every day somewhere in the shop. Not as many in the 2500 or 3500 but them also. The Corporate axel assemblys were not much problem.

 

[JeffreyHahn]

I too find this interesting. Do you have a source for this info?



-Ryan

DCX corporate axle engineering sources. One of the reasons for them leaving Dana was the noise issue in the Jeeps. Kept comparing it to MB. Take a look at the sound insulation in a Jeep vs MB. Don't know about the reliability problems with Danas. The truck axles seemed to be pretty bulletproof, at least, much more so than the AAMs. The front driveshafts with both companies tend to fail more, due to extreme drive angles, when the decision was made to do away with the axle disconnect.

 

[DPKetchum]

The noise issue in Jeeps was not due to a lack of insulation. Far from it. They just plain were set up wrong time after time. They ROARED badly.