My stock front axle u joints lasted over 100,000 miles , I never off road and only used 4 wheel drive a few times, my u joint on the driver side was replaced 1 year ago with one with a grease fitting, and it cost me about $300 dollars from a local shop , well recently the other went and that cost me $1000 from the same shop because he said he could not save the bearing. When he did the most recent one he said the other had play in it adain and asked if I did off roading, I said I do not. My question is why did the other one not last , is something else causing this? I watched a youtube video and it looks easy , do you think it will be since the bearing was out a year ago or do you think it froze in there again? thanks

 

The u-joints can fail for a number of reasons:
- Poor quality u-joint
- Dirt, mud, water can get past seals and allow them to wear out fast. Avoid submerging the u-joints
- Lack of lubrication
- Turning and applying a lot of torque

Wheel bearing assemblies (unit bearings) get rust welded to the steering knuckles. Just takes some coaxing to get them out.

Use good quality u-joints and wheel bearings when replacing.

I replaced my front wheel bearings and u-joints about 2 years ago.
Not a bad job if you have the right tools.