hardest part is gettin' the darn things out (at least mine were rusted riiight in there).....vise and a BFH.

I would think 3 hrs is very reasonable....i'd budget a 6 pack. hehehe

 

My first joint (diff end on) was shot at 60K.

I just replaced the other 2 at 75K.

I wasn't too pleased either.

Mine were brutal to get out, that resin makes a real mess of things too.

 

I just noticed the white plastic stuff! our mechanic for the city says to melt it out?! now I need a torch? the other thing I am told is the plastic means it is ORIGINAL! hmmmm I think I paid a shop to do it and they may not have...... pretty suspicious!!!!

 

Took mine to a driveline shop and got Spicer joints installed while I waited.Melted out wax etc.Labor was $45.00 forgot what the joints cost.

 

What kind of noise do u-joints make when they're going out? I've noticed a whining noise when I downshift that could only be coming from the driveline (no it's not turbo whistle - it sounds like gears meshing weirdly and is really pronounced on downshifts with the engine braking) which just started about 5k miles ago. I'm hoping it's not a transmission issue... Recently it's gotten to the point where I'm hearing it when going up in gears and my mpg's are down 1.5 the truck is at 30K miles now - could it be my ujoints?

 

how are you guys noticing them failing? are u getting vibratons on highway or just clunking noises around town?

 

The second generation trucks used the non-greasable Spicer Life joint that lasted forever, as it had seals that were far superior to those on the AAM joints that the third generation trucks use. There are Spicer non-greasable joints available for the third gen trucks too, and they do last well.

 

I just replaced my rear driveshaft joints yesterday with Spicer heavy-duty greasable joints. $98 out the door. The guy at the driveline shop was telling me how he hates to change Dodge ujoints because they inject so much more plastic around the cap than other OEMs that it's almost impossible to get the caps off.

What a difference the changeout makes though. No vibration under throttle at all. I swear the truck seems quieter too Not like I was looking for that or anything . . . .

 

If you don't tow, how long can you expect them to last?

ben

 

you can tell when they are going because they start to squeek as they go around..... if they get to the point of vibration you have been ignoring it way to far.... but i must say that i was in the local ford shop the other day and we should all be glad that we are complaining about u-joints.....trust me!!

 

Excuse my ignorance, but how do you know if your u-joints are worn out? I'm asking because I've got a weird vibration while accelerating. You can feel it in the steering wheel & thru the seat. I've got about 93000 km/58000ml.

 

sorry just read page 2. got my answer.