billstrom

2004 Dodge Ram quad cab, diesel 4x4. Found a bad u-joint at the front spindle on the drivers side. Shop wants $300 to change. Money is tight right now, anyone ever change one of these? Looks like you have to pull the axle. If you have done this what all does it involve? Should I bite the bullet?

Thanks....

GreyTD

have not done it yet, but you need to remove the brakes, caliper housing, rotor and bearing assembly which is a pia. once you got that all off then axle comes out. changing ujoint same as any other, using a press helps but not necessary. the joint is about $65. If you have the time do it yourself if not get it done. The removal of the wheel bearing will be the hardest part. Do a search for wheel bearing and there is a page how to without a puller. How tis helps a little.

billstrom

Once the bearing is out the axle will slide out? Will I need to remover the spindle? (not really a spindle but the part that the ball joints attach to) Is there any type of retainer clip from inside the center section?

GreyTD

from the what I read, the axle should just slide out. just pull straight out so no damage to inner seal. Unless you are going to do the ball joints not necessary to remove. will be doing my soon also as one of mine axle joints is going bad.

smokeyram

once you have the rotor and bearing out, the axel slides out through the spindle. if you have a press the us joint is aquick replacement, getting the hub unit off is the time consuming part.

papaduck

Check this thread it has a step by step to replace the axel u-joint. I wrote this up after changing mine.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t=Axel+U-joint

Good luck.

billstrom

Okay, had the u-joint replaced. They did a good job. No problem there. The vibration that got me looking for a problem is still there. I realize now that the u-joint was not causing the vibration. It seems that the problems that these trucks have are common, so, where do I start looking?

GreyTD

check ball joints, shocks, tie rods. Have you rotated the tires or have them checked for balance? Is steering stabilizer leaking or loose? I found the pitman arm loose on my son's truck. just some ideas for you.

oldblues

hi
what about tire balance , weight may have fallen off , or a belt in one of the tires has broken ?
what truck ? fill in your sig !
drive shaft u jouints ?
when does the problem occur ????? what speed ?
also bad fan clutch maby ?