I think I have a bad u joint or something to that effect on my rear axle. There's a squeeking noise every tire rotation when backing. 33K on my 05, which was the last year for the 7/70.

Anyone know if this will be covered under the 7/70?

TIA.

 

Yes, it should be covered due to it being a drivetrain part.

 

Thanks, Spooner. I went to a dealer this morning and both my rear U joints have to be replaced. This will be covered by the 7/70 warranty, minus the $100 deductible.

They're even giving me a loaner, which surprised me as I didn't buy my truck there.

 

Did you have any vibration @ highway speeds? I think my truck has the same problem. It sqeeks when I back up & hard vibration at 70-about 75 mph. Plus I have something clanking aroung when I'm towing at 65-70 mph.

 

You might want to crawl under and inspect your hitch. There is a thread in the towing section with pictures of the factory installed hitch severely cracked where it is attached to the frame.

 

Not yet. A mechanic friend of mine heard the sound when I was backing up and asked me the same question. I figured it was the u joints, but hadn't gone to the dealer yet, knowing it was probably covered under the 7/70.

Mine only squeeks when I back up, once every rotation. There's no odd sound going forward, or vibration.......yet.

I hope you have under 70K so if this is the same thing you have, it will also be covered.

I did some digging and it seems more owners are having problems with the front u joints, than the rear. I'll be listening for mine to start acting up, hopefully if they do, before my 7/70 is up. Glad I don't have an 06, with the newer grill, but only a 3/36.

 

You can do whatever you want but rear u-joints are about $15 each (greasable). If you have your dealer replace them, pay the deductible, your still getting the same junk joints which you'll probably replace again in a few years (mine lasted about 35k). Or you could replace them with good joints and probably never touch them again.

 

That is so true! But you got to think of the guys that can't wrench, no tools, space or experience. I can't understand why warranty is so important to some guys. Replace parts with the same type ie. ujoints, ball joints etc.

 

I was thinking of doing just that, weather and time permitting. A friend of mine asked me if I wanted to borrow his vise.

Can't see how zerk free units are a technological breakthrough.

 

I destroyed my vice removing my u-joints. Wasn't as simple as I thought it'd be.

 

I used a press on rear joints but when I did the fronts I just torched them in half and pressed the caps out.

You can rent a ball joint press from autozone It really is easy, I have all the tools but no motivation and I did it. I'd almost bet you could find a shop to replace all the rear joints with good ones for what the dealer will charge you with the deductible.

 

I love the people who think the non-greasable joints are stonger. haha I'll bet my "weak" greasable joints are still better than the OEM joints with dust where the bearings should be.

 

removing and installing them is not easy. i had the dealer replace both rears with spicer u joints and it cost me my deductible instead of 90 bucks a piece for them. took 4 hours for them to do it.

 

What's your idea of easy, unscrewing the fuel cap?

I think if I can replace both front axle joints in just over an hr that's pretty easy. All 3 rear joints were about the same time but I actually pressed then all out. Hey if your dealer will install aftermarket joints for $90 go for it. But I wouldn't pay crap for the OEM joints.

 

something tells me that depending on where you live and how bad your winters are, will tell how long replacing these parts will take.