A few weeks ago I started noticing a bit of a shake in the steering wheel while negotiating a turn at slow speeds. It almost feels like it does while turning with 4WD engaged. I did a bit of reading here and determined that I likely had a problem with the front U joints.

I took the truck into the dealer yesterday, who advised that I do need both front U joints replaced, but they are on back order and they don't know when they will be getting them in.

My question: Is it possible that the U joints will lock up at some point before replacement? I'm towing some horses this weekend and would be in trouble if we broke down enroute.

Thanks

 

I have'nt seen it yet , but I'm sure that at some point when the joint is gone to a point that you could have bigger problums with the axials , and if your pulling that kind of weight or at high speeds that once the u-joints go they could take some of the ft. axial and or housing in a chain reaction .

 

to be honest i think you will be fine towing a load with the U Joints like that. My step dads truck had the U joints bad for 10,000+ miles before we actually found out it was the U Joints. the dealer told us it was the tranny starting to go bad. He towed many times over 11,000# in that time. He took it to a different place that put his truck on a stress machine and sure enough bad U Joints. They were replaced with no problems

I think you will be fine, but thats just my experience

 

Turns out the dealer will be getting the parts Thursday and will install them before the weekend. Of course, that may be small comfort. They replaced the sway bar bushings today, but broke the link trying to do so. That part will be intomorrow! maybe I'll get the U joints done next week - so I will be assured I have a tow vehicle for the weekend!