Fix Front 4WD Ujoints or not?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Robeffy

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Posts
154
Reaction score
120
Location
Northern Ontario
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Cummins 6.7 TD
Hi,
I took my 1995 Ram 1500 in for service on a rusted brake line, and was shown play in the front u joints. It's minimal, but there. I can see and feel the play at the U joint.
The "cross" piece in the U joint has some play in it.
I rarely use 4WD, but will use it for sure this winter, some time.
There are no funny sounds.
Is this a rush item to fix? No snow around here for another 2 months, most likely

I understand that if it breaks, I will have a bad clunking sound, but I expect I would be able to drive it to my nearest garage. Unless, possibly, when I take a corner the 2 yokes get tangle up and I tear something apart... not sure that is likely to happen.

Thoughts?
 

Fast69Mopar

Senior Member
Joined
May 10, 2019
Posts
1,997
Reaction score
1,706
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7 HEMI
Hi,
I took my 1995 Ram 1500 in for service on a rusted brake line, and was shown play in the front u joints. It's minimal, but there. I can see and feel the play at the U joint.
The "cross" piece in the U joint has some play in it.
I rarely use 4WD, but will use it for sure this winter, some time.
There are no funny sounds.
Is this a rush item to fix? No snow around here for another 2 months, most likely

I understand that if it breaks, I will have a bad clunking sound, but I expect I would be able to drive it to my nearest garage. Unless, possibly, when I take a corner the 2 yokes get tangle up and I tear something apart... not sure that is likely to happen.

Thoughts?
I would go ahead and fix it. I would not take the chance of one coming apart and tearing up the yoke or the axle. Its not hard to do it yourself and you can save quite a bit of money. If your shop gives you an affordable price for the repairs then I would recommend doing it.
 

BWL

Embrace the skeptisism
Joined
Oct 14, 2017
Posts
8,528
Reaction score
8,463
Location
BC Canada
Ram Year
2017
Engine
hemi 5.7
Definitely replace asap. From loose to completely ****** doesn't take long once the lubricant from that sealed unit is gone and there's play. I think the factory ones are glued in from my memory, but the replacements come with c-clips. If you don't have a press or a torch I'd get a shop to do it.
 
OP
OP
Robeffy

Robeffy

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Posts
154
Reaction score
120
Location
Northern Ontario
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Cummins 6.7 TD
Thanks for the advice.
It's my worry too that if it fails it will wreck more stuff, and the cost gets crazy.
I suspect the needle bearings in there won't take that much abuse..
Oh well, its a great truck.
I heard that newer trucks require replacing the entire driveshaft assembly, so this will be less costly.
 

El Huapo

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Oct 6, 2019
Posts
788
Reaction score
3,018
Location
California Foothills, USA
Ram Year
2019 4X4 Warlock 1500 Classic DS w/3.55 LSD
Engine
V6 flex
There's a chance that if they aren't too far gone, you can just grease them. My truck has the U-joints in front that have a little tiny fitting on one cap that can be greased with a "needle" grease gun fitting. I had one that rattled/moved a little when I shook it, which I greased (and the other side too, natch) months ago and they're fine. All the play went out of the worst one when I greased it the first time, but after a bit driving, I greased them both again just for grins.
Note: I got the needle fitting with a zerk fitting on the end to go into the grease gun, but I couldn't force it into the port, so I removed the zerk fitting and the needle body screwed right onto the grease gun solid tube and everything worked fine then. Happy trails
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mop
Top