I read the 5 or so threads on u-joints. Mine are shot. With just over 69k miles the dealer is replacing them. I don't really know the history of the truck so I can't say if it has towed real heavy loads but still, 69k miles.

Is this a cronic problem or just random?

 

The u-joint at my carrier bearing I replaced at around 40k and then the other two at about 70k. By being the non-serviceable joints from the factory, the needle bearings tend to dry out and start to cease up. It made for a heck of a vibration when the one at the carrier bearing went out...

 

Yeah i just got mine back tonight from the dealer, but they didnt fix anything Said they couldnt find anything. I told them i had a small vib( more of a moan) at 70, but if you used 4x4 anytime you could really hear it accelerating and braking anything but coasting. I get back my warrenty paper when i pick up the truck, It says no vibration felt, 4x4 should not be used above 40mph.. Im like ***. Cause i checked the drive shafts, I get SOME movement out of the transfercase output yoke. 3/8-1/2 in
So im ******.

 

I work on a lot of these trucks, and I have found that the 2nd gen. trucks are definitely the most gentle on u-joints. I replaced scores of u-joints on 1st gen. trucks, and now the 3rd gen. trucks are shaping up to be the same way. I firmly believe that the Spicer non-greasable joints are the only one to use as a replacement. The seals are far superior to any greasable joint I've seen.

 

both joints on my rear driveshaft were changed out last monday. they were seized bigtime [very violent shuddering when unloaded, lightly loaded, too scared to see how they reacted under heavy load]

 

Exactly the same for me with about 55000 miles, all highway, empty.

rob

 

it seems to me that it is more of a problem on long beds. Has anyone else noticed this.???

 

mine at ±28,000 kilometers all city driving [17,500 miles]

 

Mine was replaced @ 54000.
Real bad vib about 60mph.
I also noticed with window down and putting in gear a clancking sound.
I replaced mine myself. 4hrs beat the hell out of u-joints.
I still notice a small vib now.
Any help?

 

I/we replace way too many ujoints on the 3rd gens, and they're not the easiest ones in the world to do. The 06's have different drive shafts now but the ujoints are the same. I think the drive line angle is not set properly....

 

Just had mine replaced today after about 1000 miles of the dealer telling me they couldn't find anything.

I have 19,000 miles on now.

I felt a small vibe surge at highway speeds and when I would slow down for a stop the truck felt like it was going to shake itself apart.

 

Guys, I have replaced all my ujoints at least twice. Just replaced the hanger bearing (worn out), and the center u joint. The front driver ujoint is shot to hell and is being replaced on monday along with both ball joints on both sides. The factory ujoints are junk...they are expensive and if you pull the cups out an 1/16 of an inch they wobble. Spicers greasable or nongreasable are the way to go. I got the hanger bearing ,spicer, two drive shaft u-joints , spicer copies with no play greasable) replaced and the two piece drive shaft rebalanced (4 good sized weights added, 2 on each shaft) for about 300 us (350cdn). The dealer charged me 141 cdn for a crappy ujoint and 160 labor at my last visit to that dealer ever.

Nick, See Richard at Precision Driveline in Witby, tell him the big green dually with the monster bumper sent ya. Spicers are 56 bucks cdn there and his labor is really fair 75 to balance the two piece shaft...200 to 300 elsewhere I found. Great guy into freaky custom bugs. ks

 

I had the 2 rear ones replaced under the 7/70 warranty. They gave a bad driveline shudder when slowing down and the typical squeaking. It was about 40k miles and I don't pull over 5k.

Nick

 

I will admit, although DC won't , that there is a very big problem with the u-joints on these trucks....we're a small dealership, but about 20% of our time is spent changing u-joints(we're in a truck markert area).If you own one, you will have all u-joints wear out before the truck reaches 100 000 km ; some people just dont realize that the vibration is the start of the joint failure....half ignore it until it shakes the crap out of ya ....usually after the deductible or warranty period ended. It's the biggest embarassment i see about the trucks.....next is the 03 and 04 lift pumps.........thats what grinds my gears tonight.......

 

I'm next for some u-joints, started squeakin yesterday, don't haul heavy often or tow heavy ever, less than 28k on the truck.