Tires rotation turns into..

2000XJ · 11-20-2009, 06:07 PM

U-Joints are blown and need new ones. They want to charge me 72.04 for 2 and the product code is 53110297 and it's called 1-0297 U-Joint. Bad things is the want to charge 130.00 for labor. So what should i do here, being noob, buy my own (suggestions please), go ahead w/ it which i highly doubt but i wanna hear from fellow Jeepers. Thanks.

ehall · 11-20-2009, 06:13 PM

If the $130 is for two hours of shop time that sounds about right. Up to you if you want to pay it. It will take you a lot longer than that to do it yourself and you'll probably need tools and may break a u-joint but it's good to know how to do it.

2000XJ · 11-20-2009, 06:15 PM

Yeah that's what i've heard. So kinds of in the air as of now. They tighten it up so the shaking went away so all is good for now. You know any good brands?

**CJ7-Tim** · 11-20-2009, 06:17 PM

Spicer u-joints (5-297X) are about $25 each. You can do the job yourself in the driveway. It may take you longer than two hours, but you can spend the $130 on tools that you can use on your next repair to save more money.

2000XJ · 11-20-2009, 06:22 PM

That makes sense. What tools are needed for this process? Haven't really done any work on my Jeep and will probably be a good time to start learning.

2000XJ · 11-20-2009, 06:25 PM

Also where are you finding these spicer u-joints? Looked them up and all that are coming up are for Dana 44 and i believe my front is on a Dana 30.

**CJ7-Tim** · 11-20-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000XJ

What tools are needed for this process? Haven't really done any work on my Jeep and will probably be a good time to start learning.

Buy, rent, or borrow a Ball Joint Press. It will make the job faster, easier, and less likely to cause damage. Apply penetrating oil to the axle hub bolts and the u-joint caps for 4-5 days before you start the repair.

Your front axle u-joints are Spicer 5-297x. Any decent auto parts store has cheap u-joints and good quality ones. Buy good quality parts, you don't want to redo your work in 12-18 months when the cheap parts blow up. Tell them what vehicle and where the joint is located and they should be able to sell you the right parts (AutoZone and Advance are the exception). I prefer to buy my parts at NAPA.

Read these links

Unit Bearing - 1
D-30 Axle Shaft Removal
U-Joint Replacement - 1
Jeepin.com - How to change a u-joint
DELTA 4X4 CLUB TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT - U-JOINT REPLACEMENT

Harbor Freight U-Joint Tool
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

srmitchell · 11-20-2009, 07:13 PM

I did it in my garage.

You need a vise, which makes the u joint install easier, but other than that, just good tools, the massive axle nut socket, and the 13mm hub bolt socket.

Do it your self, cause if you break one wheeling, you'll be screwed, not knowing what to fix.

bikedude189 · 11-20-2009, 11:16 PM

there are places online you can get spicer u-jints for about $15 IIRC(ujointman.com?) and do it yourself. its not hard, and a good learning experience. PM me if you want a thourough elplanation.

2000XJ · 11-21-2009, 01:22 AM

All right I guess I just need to amount the tools to do it and somebody to help because I really have no clue, but I need to start learning so it'll be a good learning experience. Anyone else have any other insight? Thanks.

ehall · 11-21-2009, 07:38 AM

It's not that hard unless things get stuck. Here's a good write-up--U-Joint Replacement - 1. The harbor-freight press in there is nice and cheap, I have one here.

Be REALLY careful putting stuff back together cause if one of the needle bearings falls over and you crush it then you need another u-joint just to replace the one bearing.