Is it normal for the 05 SRW 4x4's to wear all of the u joints out on the rear driveshaft? I had to replace both of mine at 40k. The dealer would not cover under the warranty either. Is this true as well?

Matt

 

I replaced all three around 50k, but only the middle one was bad from lack of grease in the cups. Didn't check with the dealer only because the POS factory joint are non greasable and will fail again in no time, replaced with precision greasable joints. I bought all eight at once in prediction that the rest will have the same fate.

 

I just replaced my rears at 33K.

 

How do you know when they are going out?

 

The first U-joint on my rig failed at 40k (rear driveshaft at differential), I have since replaced all but two of the originals(transfer case side of front driveshaft); it's a good opportunity to install greasable, higher quality u-joints. When installing new u-joints in the front axle I also went with new greasable ball joints. You will hear a loud squeeking/clicking and/or a slight vibration when they wear out.

 

First I have ever heard of it!

 

mine went out at 40,000 miles. common problem with our trucks. make sure you replace them with greaseable ones!!

 

Mainly, I had a slight rumbling vibration on acceleration from about 1300 RPM on up. Especially, when you lug the motor uphill.

Also, I had visible wear at the knuckles.

Surprised me though as my 2004 were fine at 60K. Same truck. They warrantied mine, no questions asked.

 

lost mine at 30k

 

My 04 had front and rear on the rear shaft replaced under warranty at 26,000 miles. I then had the rear joint on the rear shaft replaced again at 46,000 miles when my left front axle joint went. I had the right front axle joint go at 66,000 miles. At about 70,000 I had a new clutch put in and I replaced both joints on the rear axle with precision greasable ones. I think the nv5600 is harder on ujoints than the auto.

 

should consider replacing the ball and socket in the double cardan joint in the front shaft as well. It would probably be fine, but it would really suck to have to take it apart to replace just the ball and socket after going through the front joints.

 

Just go to your local parts house and buy some lifetime warranty junk for about $25 a u-joint. And be prepared to use that warranty about every 40K.

And yes you will feel the vibration when they are going out.

 

Yes, I had a vibration at 65 - 70. i thought I threw another wheel weight. After I got under the truck to check things out, I saw the rear u-joint was worn. I could move the driveshaft almost 2". The replacement for the 05 is $40 a piece since it is a single shaft. Yes, they are the NAPA specials with a grease fitting. They are twice the weight as the stockers and twice the size. When I pulled the stock one off, one cap was full of dust and no bearings, the other was grease and no bearings. The two on the pinion were fine.

 

I took 2500's advice and bought one of those $2.50 needles for my grease gun at auto-zone. Poke it through the rubber seal on the u-joint bearings and put about a half a shot in there every oil change @ 5k miles. Ball joints get the same deal every 5k too. So we'll see if I can make it past 40K with the "nongreasables".

 

Just replaced my (2) front ones and the rear driveshaft one yesterday. I was able to get the NAPA greaseable front ones but had to get the rear from the dealership since napa doesnt carry it which still doesnt bother me considering the rear u-joint is a piece of cake to replace while the front ones are the hardest. Those are the most common ones that go bad, as far as the u-joint where the driveshaft goes in the transfer case, I havnt heard much or anyone replacing that one.