U-Joints worn out at 32k

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:43 pm

just hit 32k miles on my 2005 renegade, it's in for an oil change and they tell me that my driveshaft u-joints are severely worn (front especially) and need replacing.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:15 pm

What do they mean by front? The front set of ujoints on the rear driveshaft?

Those things are cheap anyway. Get a set of graseable ones and they will last alot longer. :wink:

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:50 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

What do they mean by front? The front set of ujoints on the rear driveshaft?

Those things are cheap anyway. Get a set of graseable ones and they will last alot longer. :wink:

Yeah, the front end of the driveshaft.

Cheap? $400 to replace them isn't exactly a cheap repair I want to do all that often...

Do you know who makes a greasable one that will fit? Is this a common replacement? I've not heard much about ujoints, only balljoints

N / A · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:19 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

What do they mean by front? The front set of ujoints on the rear driveshaft?

Those things are cheap anyway. Get a set of graseable ones and they will last alot longer. :wink:

Yeah, the front end of the driveshaft.

Cheap? $400 to replace them isn't exactly a cheap repair I want to do all that often...

Do you know who makes a greasable one that will fit? Is this a common replacement? I've not heard much about ujoints, only balljoints

$400 to replace u joints? I bought greasable spicers for $16 each and did the job myslef in an hours, without a press, using a bench vise and some sockets to press the old ones out. You could take the driveshaft out ourself in 5 mins and take it to a shop with a press and I'm sure they would charge less then an hour to press them out and the new ones in.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:42 pm

N / A wrote:

$400 to replace u joints? I bought greasable spicers for $16 each and did the job myslef in an hours, without a press, using a bench vise and some sockets to press the old ones out. You could take the driveshaft out ourself in 5 mins and take it to a shop with a press and I'm sure they would charge less then an hour to press them out and the new ones in.

well, it looks like my stealership is taking me for a ride then. They quoted me three hours of labor, and I imagine the OEM parts are at least $50 each. I'll know for next time to just put in aftermarkets.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:49 pm

WOW thats just as expensive as the brake job mine quoted me just for the rear :shock:

talked to my brother in law & we can get greasable u-joints for the KJ just not sure what brand they are but will probably out last the oem, checking into this myself before there is a problem

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:53 pm

raceinfan wrote:

WOW thats just as expensive as the brake job mine quoted me just for the rear :shock:

talked to my brother in law & we can get greasable u-joints for the KJ just not sure what brand they are but will probably out last the oem, checking into this myself before there is a problem

I'll know for next time. I'm sure it'll come up again, probably in another 30k miles.

Troysterr · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:54 pm

My dealership quoted me just under $400, also. They do take some time to replace, but it's not terribly difficult. I happened to be in an auto mechanics class when I replaced mine, so the instructor was able to show me what to do, just using a ball peen hammer.

Check here for prices on Spicers:
http://www.youngs.org/kjparts/default.asp?category=3

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:09 pm

$400 is crazy I think. It really isnt hard at all. Especially if you have a vice to help hold things for you. Heck for 400 you could get the joints, sockets, hammer, vice, pliers, and a small press and just do it yourself with all the right tools!

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:39 pm

is it not covered under warranty???

raceinfan · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:46 pm

I was just thinking that, uncommon to let go at 32k ( I think ) I got 42k on mine & so far so good

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:49 pm

yea i know i got close to 40k on mine and still going strong.....

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:21 pm

gone_jeepin wrote:

is it not covered under warranty???

Nope. They blamed it on the "extreme" driveshaft angle. They did show me one of the u-joints, there was not much left of it at all.

Here's the bill:

REPLACE DRIVE SHAFT U-JOINTS - FRONT AND REAR
1467 CP 2.50 231.25
1 5014733AA JOINT 77.25
1 5015694AA JOINT 67.25

So it looks like the OEM part is $67 and $77 each, but an aftermarket part is like $8-$15. Wow. Good news is that most of the cost is labor, so I don't feel quite as ripped off.

I'm not convinced that the lift caused it. I didn't realize just how much slop there was in my drivetrain until I got it fixed today. It's so smooth and responsive now. I wish I'd caught it sooner.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:26 pm

u-joints shouldn't go at 32K unless you have really changed the angle, drive in deep water alot, etc.

they should be under warranty, but they are a wear item. i've had and seen non greaseable ones go well into the 100K mile territory.

I'd crawl under and start wigglin' to see if they actually need to be replaced. :lol:

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:58 pm

Mine were toast at around 50,000 miles, rear one was gone! Just noticed a little noise coming home from work one day and found it, local shop charged me 75.00 for 2 joints,

and labor! Was leaving the next day for Boston and didnt have time to do it myself.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:10 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

gone_jeepin wrote:

is it not covered under warranty???

Nope. They blamed it on the "extreme" driveshaft angle. They did show me one of the u-joints, there was not much left of it at all.

Here's the bill:

REPLACE DRIVE SHAFT U-JOINTS - FRONT AND REAR
1467 CP 2.50 231.25
1 5014733AA JOINT 77.25
1 5015694AA JOINT 67.25

So it looks like the OEM part is $67 and $77 each, but an aftermarket part is like $8-$15. Wow. Good news is that most of the cost is labor, so I don't feel quite as ripped off.

I'm not convinced that the lift caused it. I didn't realize just how much slop there was in my drivetrain until I got it fixed today. It's so smooth and responsive now. I wish I'd caught it sooner.

Thats why they call them "STEALERSHIPS".I have worked for independent shops for about 24 years,and was never able to charge that much.

U-Joints worn out at 32k

Who is online