I think I have almost replaced every U-joint on the truck. I'm about to have to replace another one. 162000 really should all of them need to replaced already!!!
Simply pathetic that these U joints fail like this. My truck has a very easy life, It never goes off road and I don't pull with it. It goes up and down the highway with dirt bikes in the bed. Called Dodge and complained, they don't give a damn. When I told them I was going back to Toyota, the reply was , "Go ahead." No wonder they have financial trouble.
- addavies,
Green River, WY, US
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Pathetic that these fail at such low mileage, my truck is never abused, never goes off road. Called Dodge and complained, they don't care, told them I was going back to Toyota and was told, "Go right ahead."
This is the second set of rear U Joints to be replaced on this truck. The first set at approx 25000 miles and now again at 52000 miles The 2 piece drive line is a piece of junk, They were going to charge me for replacing the U joints until I complained that it is part of the drive train, and should be covered under the 100,000 mile warranty. The cummins engine is fantastic, but it don't make up for the piece of junk Dodge calls a truck. I wouldn't buy another one.
Added this as another problem - but associated with failed U Joints: Steel steering knuckle and aluminum bearing housing on front wheel drive of 4x4 = rust, corrosion and a repair job NOT suited for normal home mechanic. Have a BIG compressor to help with air impact hammer, and lots of time to break all the rust loose so you can disassemble to repair U joints. Took total of 9 hours to break everything loose on a 4 year old truck. Suggest remove and dump the mud shields as they simply funnel all mud and debris direct to U joints.
Found a bad front axle U Joint - seal broken, dry bearings. Decided to replace pads at same time. Before completion, actually "broke" a rotor trying to get it off, and found some "smart Chrysler engineer" specified an aluminum bearing housing bolted to a steel casting. They must not have heard about problems with dissimilar metals and rust! About 9 hours with all sorts of hammers, deadblow, and air hammers - plus one torch. Everything in just 4 short years rusted beyond belief. After a lot of swearing, looking for an auto parts store with a 43mm socket (axle nut), and a wheel/hub puller big enough (no such thing for 8 bolt pattern at Checker) we finally got it off. Interesting that OEM universal joints have no grease fittings. Replaced with Delco and it has Zerk fitting for future maintenance. Biggest pain in the ass I ever took on. Now have ABS light on so will have to see what is causing that problem.
I have replaced both u-joints on the rear driveshaft and both in the front hubs (4x4)... all before 100k miles. The first was the left front hub at 32k miles with minimal 4WD use. I suspect that the u-joint supplier to DCX had a manufacturing process defect (such as an incorrect heat treat cycle) since when I had the second driveshaft u-joint replaced at 80k miles, the u-joint was not available for 2 1/2 weeks. This was a strong indicator that the supplier had to catch up to the truck production line after shipping defective product and was shorting parts/service as a result. Now at 120k miles, the left front is going again (remember that I had this one replaced prior to when I think the defect was discovered) I am hoping that they have resolved this defect now. Otherwise, I will be looking at an after market supplier that is different than the OEM supplier.
Over the course of about 2 years I have had to replace the rear u joint then earlier this year the front u joint. Now, yeah, I understand that this truck will need to have this stuff replaced but the thing is my truck is not used for heavy hauling. I put on an average of 30,000 miles a year. One mechanic I took the truck to said this should not be happening now. If you had 200,000 miles on it yes but not at 60,000. Just last week I put on new tires and the dealer said the top ball joint is starting to look worn. I bought this truck so I could keep it for at least 250,000. At this rate I will be putting in enough money for a new truck. A heavy duty truck should not need u joints or even ball joints under 100,000 miles. Like I have said I understand the maintanence but not if I don't tow anything should this stuff need replacing. I don't think I am going to be buying another Dodge product. This truck is my third Dodge product. Enough is enough.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Not many miles considering age and being a diesel that doesn't see much hard work. Should issue a recall
- Jason C., Henrietta, TX, US