[chizzle1]

My u-joints have not been replaced since I purchased the truck bad in 1999, I had about 26,000 on it then. It has a little over 103,000 now.

Should they be do for a replacement or do they start making noise before they go out?
I haven't done u-joints before, what tools do I need?
I am pretty mechanically inclined, so it shouldn't be a problem, I just need to know if I need a press or if a BFH and a vise will work.
And, is there any way to tell which size they are with out pulling them?
What is the best brand to get? Or is the parts house (Autozone) brand pretty decent?
I know this is a fairly simple and straigh forward operation, but I just don't want to get 1/2 way done and realize that I forgot something or an missing a tool that i need.

Thanks

 

[hieneken49]

http://www.pavementsucks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=83479

its easy pull the wheels, pull the hubs, pull the axel shafts, take out the rings on the joints and knock the joints out, the link above has the better part number in it.

 

[chizzle1]

thanks hieneken, I am a$$uming the process is the same for the rear d-shaft...minus the wheels, hubs, ect. right? (I am caseless)


:bigthumb:

edit: just read the thread in the your link: do they make a stronger than stock for the rear one?
The rear has 2 different sizes doesn't it?

thanks

 

[hieneken49]

i never did the ones in the rear, i thought there was only one on the drivesahft back there?

 

[chizzle1]

These are the options I have: I am pretty sure it's a 2 joint shaft, but the rest I don't know.


DODGE TRUCK RAM 1500 1/2 TON 2WD

Please select one of the following:
WITH 2 JOINT SHAFT
WITH 3 JOINT SHAFT

Please select one of the following:
WITHOUT ALUMINUM/GRAPHITE SHAFT
WITH ALUMINUM/GRAPHITE SHAFT


Please select one of the following:
WITH 1.188" BEARING CAP
WITH 1.125" BEARING CAPS


thanks

edit: they list PDQ or Brute_Force brands, either of these any good?

 

[Tufiremn]

On 2005-12-02 06:50, hieneken49 wrote:
http://www.pavementsucks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=83479

its easy pull the wheels, pull the hubs, pull the axel shafts, take out the rings on the joints and knock the joints out, the link above has the better part number in it.

You also have to hold your mouth just right to get the crosses out of the front shafts.

 

[chizzle1]

not to sound like a dick, but can we focus on the back d-shaft...I don't even have a front one :rotfl:

 

[Tufiremn]

On 2005-12-02 07:47, chizzle1 wrote:
not to sound like a dick, but can we focus on the back d-shaft...I don't even have a front one :rotfl:

My bad, you should have said that sooner. As for the rear, just go talk to the parts monkey and see what part# they come up with. Though they should both be the same size.

 

[chizzle1]

My bad, you should have said that sooner. As for the rear, just go talk to the parts monkey and see what part# they come up with. Though they should both be the same size.

I did, see 3rd post:

thanks hieneken, I am a$$uming the process is the same for the rear d-shaft...minus the wheels, hubs, ect. right? (I am caseless)




edit: just read the thread in the your link: do they make a stronger than stock for the rear one?
The rear has 2 different sizes doesn't it?

thanks

these are the 2 sizes they carry...guess I have to wait until I get the d-shaft down and get the u-joints out to see what size they are.

WITH 1.188" BEARING CAP
WITH 1.125" BEARING CAPS

then there are these options as well:
DODGE TRUCK RAM 1500 1/2 TON 2WD

Please select one of the following:
WITH 2 JOINT SHAFT
WITH 3 JOINT SHAFT

Please select one of the following:
WITHOUT ALUMINUM/GRAPHITE SHAFT
WITH ALUMINUM/GRAPHITE SHAFT


really can't afford to have the truck down too long, that's why I'm trying to obtain as much information as possible now.
thanks

 

[JasonB]

the 97 1500 should be a "Detroit 7690" type joint. If you can find Precision brand, its #316

 

[chizzle1]

thanks :bigthumb: what parts house do you recommend getting Precision u-joints from?

 

[JasonB]

napa should have them

 

[chizzle1]

ok, have somewhat narrowed it down, called the local dodge place and they said they can't tell what size the caps are, but they said the replacement part number for my truck's u-joints is: 4504 576

can anybody on here somehow cross reference that number and get the actual dimensions, it's either a 1.188 or a 1.125 bear cap size.
By the way, the stealership wants $53 a peice!! :rotfl: