More trouble for me. I have some bad ujoints on my front axle. I have about 70k on my truck. This is clearly covered by my DC extended warranty. However my local dealer in LaPorte claims that in order to replace the ujoints they are likely to break the hub and bearings. The breaking of parts would not be covered under warranty. To replace the broken parts will cost me $360 per side. Total of $720.

Has anyone else had this issue? My previous searches have shown that many people are having ujoint issues on 3rd gen trucks. However I did not see anyone talking about trouble in disassemble causing the hub and bearing breaking. Maybe my dealer just does not know how to replace the ujoint properly? Or maybe this is a common problem.

Thanks for you input.

 

Why is it a surprise that we call dealerships scum?

Tell them if they can't figure out out to do it without breaking the hub/bearing that is THEIR PROBLEM. If they can't figure out how to work on their own trucks....

I did it, and I broke my hub/bearing (hub and bearings are 1 piece on the 3rd gens and are NOT supposed to come apart).

However, I did it before I had some helpful knowledge from people on here and TDR. I am also not a mechanic by any means. I usually pick up tools expecting to break stuff and I do... So that being said, here's some pictures BUT I would fully expect this to be able to be done by a dealership with proper knowledge and tools and a proper shop not a shadetree like me.

http://xj.cdevco.net/auto/3rd_gen_u-joint/

 

I'll second the " if they break it they fix it" after all if they weren't in there messing with a warranteed item in the first place that part would not break, If they build it with the mentality of its ok to stand in a corner while the paint dries on the floor thats there problem.

 

Looks like they better be covering the hub bearings then too.

Thats a bunch of HOOEY!!

 

not sure why they would be breaking hub bearings anyway. i did this job myself, changed the axle shaft u joint, didn't take me all that long,no need to separate the hub bearings, they just un bold from the spindle/knuckle.
sounds like maybe they want to make some money, because warrenty don't pay so well.

 

Well I took the thing apart myself this afternoon. Able to take everything apart up the the removal of the hub bearing assembly. All the bolts out. We beat on it. We put the tire back on with the bolts loose and dropped the truck from 1 foot off the ground. We rocked it with the bolts loose. Then we gave up. So I see that it can be pretty tough.

I guess that if you break the hub assembly then maybe you have a better shot at beating on it. It that how it goes? With a clear shot you can get it loose? Maybe heating it could get it loose?

So I will check again tomorrow. Then maybe back to a dealer.

Any other ideas?

 

How about contacting Chrysler directly and asking them about this?

 

03 with 80000 had dealer replace 2 front joints. cost was 500 they did not break hubs. they did have to heat up one side to get it apart . Drivers side. Have 91500 now all is good.

 

Maybe dodge should put some anti seize on these things before they put them together.

Just did mine and after 6 years they were not coming off in one piece! lol

Funny part is the u joints were mint..


Jason

 

I had to replace front u joint. Friend that works at dealership did the job for me on the side. He told me up front that about 50% of the time the bearing/hub needs to be broken and replaced. Tried to remove but had no luck. I guess it had a lack of anti sieze. Hub was replaced. Anti sieze was applied. Hopefully never a problem again on that side. Truck had about 70k at the time. Most expensive u joint repair I have ever had.

 

Bottom line is that a DC warrantied part failed, and you should not have to pay extra to have it replaced. My dad had the exact same thing happen, they replaced the u joint and broke the hub in the process, except his was NO CHARGE because they were replacing a WARRANTIED part. You need to get on the phone to some people higher up, because you shouldn't be getting the short end of the stick. Do your best to make them do it. They are probably trying to screw other people out of a bunch of money, too.