Need U-Joints for 2001 Limited 2WD
- Thread starter apache67
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Nelsonmd
New member
Oh that's silly...
Buy any brand u-joint from rock auto and replace it yourself (I bought Moog, though I'm not that big a fan of them; I think they are fine for u-joint bearings). If you don't have a press or anything else to use instead, go get a cheap one from harbor freight, they can be had for as little as $70 (plus you'll then have a press for other stuff too!). The u-joint isn't that hard to replace, I just did mine.
If you are a total novice with mechanical stuff, then maybe consider paying a shop to replace it, but price out the labor, and consider just taking the parts to either a mechanic to press out and in, or just take it to a machine shop of some sort that has a press and see what they would charge. Buying a new drive shaft would be the last resort as I am sure that will be more expensive than replacing the joint. Only do that if it turns out to be cheaper.
If you're willing to give doing it yourself a shot, I'll walk you through it. You can search for replacement instructions, or just look it up on youtube and you will find TONS of how-to videos, it's a pretty universal procedure.
hungryeddy
New member
are your u-joints shot? have you tried greasing to fix whatever problem you're having?
Nelsonmd
New member
If you are mechanically inclined, then you should be able to do it in just an hour or 2. I think I took about 4 hours, but I also painted the parts, and struggled with my typical massive rust problems. My second time through, I expect to do it in about an hour (assuming I ever have to do it again...). If you can find the time at all, I would suggest you go for it yourself.
I am not going to change your mind.
I'll tell my experience. I got a U-joint from NAPA and replaced the very last U joint as it is the one goes bad first. I was careful at replacing the U-joint, but at the end, it had a very small free movement when I try to hold one half by hand the try to turn the other half by hand. I then got a used drive line from a truck that had 200 K, and I checked it thoroughly. Absolutely no free movement in any of the U joints, not even a bit.
I'll tell my experience. I got a U-joint from NAPA and replaced the very last U joint as it is the one goes bad first. I was careful at replacing the U-joint, but at the end, it had a very small free movement when I try to hold one half by hand the try to turn the other half by hand. I then got a used drive line from a truck that had 200 K, and I checked it thoroughly. Absolutely no free movement in any of the U joints, not even a bit.
Nelsonmd
New member
You clearly had something irregular going on, either a bad part, or some issue with the install. I don't think your experience is what most others have had as tons of people replace their own u-joints. Did the NAPA one come with a new spider, or was it just the bearings?
I am not expecting to change your mind either, since we always default to our own experiences, but one bad experience doesn't mean the recommendation for others should be to drop alot of money on a whole new DS.
It came with new spider and bearings. No, not a new DS, but a used one for like $80-100 shipped.
Thanks
