Rear U-Joint in the driveshaft - part cost and labor involved

Sparty · 07-09-2007, 09:35 AM

My rear u-joint is going out....there is now slop in the driveshaft.

I don't have the facilities, and frankly the time to work on this. I was going to have the dealership (I know, I know...this is my first problem) work on it during tomorrows service.

I thought this would be relatively simple. They are saying the part is $70 and about 1/2 - hour worth of labor. Does this seem correct, or am I just getting the ole' treatment?

TIA?

**mdm** · 07-09-2007, 09:41 AM

The labor is about right but the price on the u-joint seems high. Are they replacing both or just one?

Sparty · 07-09-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdm

The labor is about right but the price on the u-joint seems high. Are they replacing both or just one?

as far as I know...just one. I thought that these were a $20-$25 part

**Wheelin98TJ** · 07-09-2007, 09:51 AM

You are correct - its $10-$15 for a Spicer 1310 u-joint.

Their labor quote of 1/2 hour is pretty good though.

JJs99TJ · 07-09-2007, 09:55 AM

you're right. will they install it if you provide the
part? if so, then you could go buy it for less then half of what
they are quoting you and save a little $ that way....

bairy · 07-09-2007, 09:57 AM

On my old truck, I could not press out the caps...

I took the driveshaft and went to a Napa with a machine shop... cost $25 plus the part ($15 bucks or so)

it is 4 nuts/bolts and you can slip it right out. You don't have to leave the vehicle either. Just slap it in 4wd and drive on the front DS.

jeeptrix · 07-09-2007, 10:25 AM

so what signs do you notice when you start having a U-joint going out?

**Wheelin98TJ** · 07-09-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeeptrix

so what signs do you notice when you start having a U-joint going out?

A bad driveshaft u-joint will cause vibrations.

To check them, grab the driveshaft and try to wiggle it back and forth. There should be no slop in any of the u-joints.

Sparty · 07-09-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelin98TJ

A bad driveshaft u-joint will cause vibrations.

To check them, grab the driveshaft and try to wiggle it back and forth. There should be no slop in any of the u-joints.

Mine squeeled like a Banshee under acceleration. Coasting it was fine. I checked it then, and there wasn't any slop. However, I figured that's what was up.

Well, I let it go fo a while, and started to hear a "Thunk" whenever I put it into gear(manual), or hit the gas. I checked the driveshaft, and yep, plenty of slop, and the source of the "thunk"

jeeptrix · 07-09-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelin98TJ

A bad driveshaft u-joint will cause vibrations.

To check them, grab the driveshaft and try to wiggle it back and forth. There should be no slop in any of the u-joints.

now when you say wiggle it, do you mean like push/pull back and forth, or try spinning it one way or another back and forth. I just checked, and I could spin it a fair share each way, but I couldn't like push/pull it

Sparty, I am also hearing that thunk soon after putting it in gear (at least the lower gears when i'm going slower occasionally)

Sparty · 07-09-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeeptrix

now when you say wiggle it, do you mean like push/pull back and forth, or try spinning it one way or another back and forth. I just checked, and I could spin it a fair share each way, but I couldn't like push/pull it

Sparty, I am also hearing that thunk soon after putting it in gear (at least the lower gears when i'm going slower occasionally)

and make sure you're grabbing the rear (short) driveshaft.....because I believe the front one has a little slop to it naturally. However, as always, I could be very wrong

lupinsea · 07-09-2007, 11:36 AM

A local Jeep mechanic tipped me off to Fleetpride. They had the tripple seal Spicer u-joints for $14. Or regular greasable ones for $9. Cost $7 to have them install the u-joints if I brought in the driveshaft. Guy did the u-jonit swap in about 60 sec. Amazing was a cool press will do.

Seemed like an easy decision.

**Wheelin98TJ** · 07-09-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeeptrix

now when you say wiggle it, do you mean like push/pull back and forth, or try spinning it one way or another back and forth. I just checked, and I could spin it a fair share each way, but I couldn't like push/pull it

Sparty, I am also hearing that thunk soon after putting it in gear (at least the lower gears when i'm going slower occasionally)

I mean push/pull it back and forth.

Spinning a little in each direction is normal.

Usually you will hear noise or feel a vibration in a bad u-joint before you'll be able to feel the slop with your hands.

07-09-2007, 10:25 AM	#7
jeeptrix Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: JAX Posts: 188 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	so what signs do you notice when you start having a U-joint going out?