2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Universal joints

[RDBuck]

How many miles can the front axel (4X4) non-greaseable factory U-joints last? I've got 116,000 on my 02 and the joints are still tight but I'm getting nervous. In fact, none of the u-joints have needed replacement.

 

[ArmandoCantu]

I've got a new Dynatrac front spindles kit with new u-joints. I rebuilt my front end with 178K miles 2 months ago and there were still no issues. I did it cause I wanted to stop worrying about one of them breaking on the road, and I'd been wanting the Dynatrac kit..... I say if all is tight, keep on trucking. Matter of fact, my drive shaft u-joints are still the originals - I have 189K miles today. I tow a 10K race car trailer @ twice a month.

 

[Batphreak]

Similar story on mine. Ball joints were worn out with about 170kmi on the clock. Since I was pulling it apart that far figured I might as well replace the u-joints. The hubs were still nice a smooth when I pulled it apart so I didn't replace those. Everything still running just fine with 242kmi on the clock. I tow fairly heavy now and then, but nothing regularly.

 

[GAmes]

I had well over 300k on my 2WD before I needed u-joints. If they are still tight I wouldn't worry about them. Personally, I would rather have the non-greasable type.

 

[NIsaacs]

182,000 miles on my '01, all original. Don't worry about them, they will let you know when they need replaced. They will almost never leave you afoot.



Nick

 

[Hammer]

242k on the ones on my 98 12v and still not an issue yet with the front u-joints in the axle.



I have done both the ones in the rear driveshaft already and have completely redone the front driveshaft eliminating the cardashian joint and changed it to a moly driveshaft with the same 1480 joints as the rear driveshaft.

 

[Hackamore]

335k on '99.

 

[Rattler]

I have 225 K on my 99 2500 4x4 and am still amazed that it still has all the original joints as well as ball joints. Everything is still tight, so , no worries. Randy

 

[SRath]

While I much prefer greaseable ball joints from Moog over non-greaseable Spicer balljoints, I also much prefer sealed (non-greaseable) Spicer u-joints over anything else short of those $300 apiece super-u-joints being sold to hardcore, well-heeled 4-wheelers.



Even with regular greasing, I have never had a greaseable u-joint definitively outlive the excellent, top-of-the-line, sealed, Cold-forged u-joints that Spicer makes. Some argue that the grease passages weaken greaseable ones compared to sealed, too.



Apparently, u-joint life has more to do with sealing dirt out and grease in than with replacing the grease regularly. Top-quality materials and grease are definitely part of Spicer's recipe for their long-lived sealed offerings.



That all said, when I rebuilt my front steering and replaced the rear carrier bearing and fixed/replaced the straps and bolts that had stretched and no longer clamped tight since the transmission shop had re-used them when they fixed my 5th gear, I had the local spicer-dealer driveline shop rebuild and rebalance my driveshafts with new cold-forged sealed spicer u-joints.



Nothing in my experience with anything "factory-Dodge" would lead me to believe they spent the few extra dollars for the premium spicer cold-forgings and I assume our trucks came with the lowest-cost spicer u-joints. Even premium spicer u-joints are cheap enough to replace when doing a bumper-to-bumper pm/rebuild without waiting for one to wear out and possibly destroy a much more expensive component.



Besides, once those straps and bolts are re-used, they will eventually allow the u-joint cap to spin loosely and hammer the saddles and straps and ruin themselves, too. That rear dana 80 yoke is almost $200 alone... new strap and bolts kits are $4 to $6 apiece and would have prevented that.

 

[SMorneau]

I was under the impression that all non greasable joints made by spicer were cold forged. I replaced my original joints last year with over 300k on them and they could have been left in service. I debated replacing them with greasable joints but figured 300k on the cold forged should be all I need to know to make that decision.

My front axle joints have been replaced twice at about 110-130 k each time. Last ones seem to be holding up better.