herb

at 53000 i had my first dealer visit. Developed a drivetrain vibration on return trip from Colorado.
Turned out to br universal joint on front driveshaft. Dealer said almost as expensive to replace u joint as it is complete driveshaft package. Also stated this has been an issue with these trucks.
replaced shaft under Chrysler extended warranty (100.00 deductable)

roadgeneral

This doesn't surprise me. The angle of that shaft coming out of the transfer case is pretty severe. The book says to grease that CV joint at each oil change. It has a "female" zerk fitting that can be a challenge to get any grease to the joint. I battle with it every time and have grown to hate that job! Good tip on replacing the whole shaft.

herb

i need to find a needle fitting to grease that fitting. They showed it to me at the dealership--looks like a hard one to do.
First several oil changes were done at a oil change facility and i am pretty sure they were greasing it.
When we switched to Royal Purple we started doing the changes ourself and failed to grease it. Only on our secound change with the purple , doesn't seem like missing two lubes could have caused it to go that fast?

roadgeneral

I guess DC is serious when they recommend greasing this joint every oil change . And it's just this one joint............the others have no provision for a grease fitting.

herb

was just reading another thread on ball joints---seems consensus on their durability is in the 50,000 mile range. wish i would have had them checked while it was up on the hoist. front end seems tight tho, will get it checked next time.
kinda upset when i picked it up and found the cummin insignia plaque missing on the drivers fender. Dealership ordered my a new one , noticed this AM that the paint got scratched when they ripped it off.

Lrdchaos

How many grease zerks are on these trucks all together?

AkitaSumo

three- one ay the front driveshaft as mentioned, and then the two standard style zerks at the tie rod ends.

qwest

Hub Conversation! no front drive shaft vibration or wear..

roadgeneral

I don't like getting out to lock in the hubs. I like the "shift on the fly" thing.