Took the truck in to the dealer today to fix a vibration in the drivetrain. Truck has 46,000 miles on it. As I thought, a bad U-Joint on the rear driveshaft. Only problem is the total bill to replace that 1 U-Joint was $182 of which I had to pay $106. Needless to say I went a little ballistic when they told me how much it cost. $100 deductible and $6 dollars sales tax. After crying "BS", I tucked my tail and went home vowing never to go back unless it's a major engine/drivetrain failure. All day without my truck + $106 = expensive lessen learned.

 

Sorry man, that really sucks. At least they should have changed the other side also, than maybe it wouldn't be to bad.

 

just picked up my truck from dealer today 2 front axle universals joints and 1 universal joint drive shaft. this is the second time around for the fronts. 53000 miles, I've been wondering if everyone is going through universal joints as much as I am.

 

I'm sure it won't be long before the other U-Joints need changed too but this time I'll do it. I can probably replace the rest of them for not much more than it cost me for one at the dealer. They charged me $132 for parts which I still can't believe it cost that much. The service manager said to me, "a $100 deductable is really not that much, we have a truck in here now that needs a whole tranny and the owner only pays $106". I guess they figure you win some and lose some

 

you could have probably taken it to a driveline shop and got both u-joints on the rear shaft changed for less than that.

yea i guess you win some and loss some. if you were the guy with the tranny problem you would be very happy right now. but I see your point, either way your fix was overpriced

 

I had my rear u-joints replaced after only 24,000 miles, they were completely shot.

 

I might as well have the u-joints replaced at every oil change, the way I have been eating them up.

 

If you have a short-bed, you can buy the entire driveshaft (Flange, u-joints, driveshaft, and front yoke) all assembled and balanced for around $200 from dodgeparts.com. Some paint and 4 bolts on the rear flange and you are all set. (Almost no labor involved) I bought a new driveshaft from them when I put on the GV.

The two-piece drive shafts cost a bit more however.

 

Mitternocht,

Good to know, thanks for the info.

 

2004 short box 4x4 off road who hauls 2-6 ton about once a month.

215 bucks for the front u joint , told bad front tire as well, 'nother 300 for that. 66,000 miles 1 day at one dealer, 2 day getting it done closer to home.

what a waste but the front is more tricky... will do the refit as mitten said

 

So I have a couple of questions:

1) Is there a $100 deductible on all of the factory warranties ie 3/36, 7/70 and 100,000 motor?

2) I have a squeeking/squealing sound coming from the rear driveshaft whenever there is new tension on the rear end, ie letting the clutch out to accelerate or letting the clutch out when downshifting. It is most pronounced when I am downshifting. Normal cruising it is nearly silent. I got under the truck and turned the driveshaft back and forth and got just a hint of the sound. It sounds like it is coming from inside the driveshaft, but I'm sure that is just the echoes under the truck. I really can't pinpoint where its coming from but if I had to take a shot I would guess the rear pinion end of the shaft. Any ideas on what it might be?????

Sorry for the hijack

 

should not be any deductible for the 3/36, but I know from experience after the 36000miles it's 100 deduct for drive train and motor til 100000 miles

 

Yes, I am. I have replaced the driveshaft center U joint 3 times before 50K miles. I was under the truck yesterday and it is a bit loose. I lowered the center driveshaft bearing about an inch last time and it was much better, but this one has now failed......again. In addition, I have replaced the front axle U joints once and now I can feel that one is very stiff in the steering wheel during slow turns. So they have to be changed again.

 

..and here I thought $8/gallon diesel would be the most of your worries over there (well, that and finding somewhere to park).