I noticed my 04' started making a "clunk" noise a while back and I finally got time to give it a closer inspection. I found the rear diff u-joint completely shot, like it had no needle bearings left in the one cup. So I made a trip down to Napa and $26 later I had a new, greasable u-joint. I'm curious, I have 194,000kms on the truck and I'm guessing this was an original u-joint. I keep reading about u-joints on 3rd gens lasting about 30-50k miles. Seems a little premature, no? The new one is probably a cheap "made in china" piece so I don't expect it to give me a long lifespan.

On the flipside, the truck is much, much smoother (go figure haha) and I changed the rear diff fluid to 75w90 synthetic while I was in there. I'm glad I caught this now instead of the 1000km round trip, quad trip I have planned in a few weeks!

So is it pretty standard for the u-joints to wear out a little fast on these trucks?

 

50,000 for me

 

90,000 so far mines good

 

My front axle U joints were both shot at about 115,000 miles when I did the Dynatrac. Now at 140,000 the original driveline joints appear to still be OK. They must be looking bad inside by now and I keep thinking I should get new ones.

 

123,000 on mine and all are fine.(knocking on wood)

 

I had my rear drive line u-joints replaced around 32,000 and the front are getting done today at about 45,000 on my 2003

 

88,890 for me, also knocking on wod !!!!

Chip

 

160,000 on the 04.5 and i just replaced all 4 on the rear driveline plus the carrier bearing....it started to shudder and slow speeds durring accel/decel mostly while unloaded or when i had a bunch of air in the bags....now its like new!!!!

 

110,000 miles here with no issues

 

Rear T case joint was replaced around 30 -35k. The Front axle joints were replaced between 45-50k.

 

I only got 45,000kms out of my rear u-joint. Also had to replace one in the front driveshaft, and now both axle joints are shot. I'm at 95,000km, so warrenty will cover it.

 

I replaced the rear two piece driveshaft u-joints at 54k. Just one cap was dry as a bone. I decided to replace all of the rears while I had the driveshaft out. Apparently the factory wasn't real good at getting the grease in them. This isn't the first time I have heard of this.

 

Front U joints changed twice so far, at 60,000 kms and 92,000 kms (both on warranty). I did not have any off roading and only about 100 kms on gravel on the second set, lasted 13 months (June '07 to July '08).

Second set have grease zerks though, installed on warranty by Dodge dealer. Hopefully these will last longer.

Truck is a 2004.5 1 ton RAM.

Roy

 

Rear U-joint at the pinion went out at about 37,000 miles. It was completely dry and rusted.

 

1/4 million on two orginal joints. Replaced rear two times.