Had my u-joints go bad around 43,000 miles. Got stuck in Wenatchee for 6 hrs waiting for the local dealer to find some. My buddy just had to replace his at 25,000. The shop he went to said that he has done 5 dodges in the last month. He said something about dodge losing a contract with who ever used to have there u-joints in the dodge trucks. He showed my buddy why they are going bad.

So if you are feeling a major vibration at low speeds like less than 15 mph. Kinda like the truck is going to shake apart. It's probably your u-joints.

Kris

 

I had the same problem at 52k on the clock. Rear most U-joint (at the rear the driveaxle) went bad.

 

just like Hummin Cummins, my u joint went bad at 53000. $125 dodge u joint. all four ball joints bad at 31000 replaced by dc at no cost to me. now at 53000 the replacement sets are on their way out. i'm now looking for a aftermarket set with a lifetime warranty. that must be why dodge placed the HEAVY DUTY on the REAR of the truck!!!!!!!!! all in all still love the cummins!

 

Spicer makes a replacement that should last a long time. Drivelines Northwest up here in Washington will changed em out for $12 a piece + the cost of the u-joint. Much better than the $261 I paid for two in Wenatchee.

Kris

 

Which u-joints are everyone referring to? The rear drive shaft (pinion end or transfer case end)? Anyone had problems with the front axle u-joints? I just had my drive shafts out to put my new clutch in and both front/ rear u-joints appear to be in good shape. I have 22k miles on my truck, so I will keep an eye on them.


-Muzzy

P.S. What is the part number for the spicer replacement and are they greasable?

 

My U joint went at 60000. The one by the T case. Does anyone have any suggestions on aftermarket u joints? Hopefully greasable.

 

my step dads truck went in today for u joints at 98,000 miles. 1500 dollars worth of work apparently

 

I lost the center joint last weekend at 62k. My 3500 LB with the 2 piece rear shaft got 3 new Spicer/Napa 351 greasable u-joints. I'm changing out all of the fronts to greasable today as soon as I cross the joints over to Napa numbers. The 351 joints have much larger needles inside the caps and seem to be a heavier design all around. Oh yeah, about $24.99 each from Napa.

Just a light touch to the sharp edges inside of the yokes with a round file and they dropped right in.

Richard

 

Quick update. I was on my way to Napa for the front u-joints and happened to pass my local driveline shop so I stopped in to see what they would charge. Had all three of the fronts on my 3500 changed to greasable Spicers for $63.

Here are the Spicer numbers (for the 3500 front driveline anyway)

2ea. Spicer 5-213X (1330 series)
1ea. Spicer 5-3147X

Hope this helps.

Richard

 

Had mine changed on warrantee in N. Carolina at 30,000 miles. The one near the differential was dry and rusty. Vibrated bad at 65 mph. They put in a factory replacement , non greasable,the part said Spicer on it. The drivetrain/ differential expert peened the snot out of one part of my yoke. I was going to change it myself,but the friend that I was staying with said let warrantee cover it. Plus the numbers would not cross reference at the after market stores. Anyway I did climb under and measure things up. The bearing cup is a 1 3/8" and the part # is 351 at NAPA (Precision) and greasable. 2003 HO w/ 11.5 ring gear. SO are different. It is amazing the size of that U-joint. My '68 1-ton takes a 1" bearing cap. By the way ,they wanted to rebuild the rear axle because of a little howl at certain speed, not after what I saw of my yoke the next day! Darn hillbillies! I'm one also, guess I made it a little farther than that one.