Yep, can you believe it!! I was just starting to believe I was going to be saving some money on repairs with this beast and Bam. Bad enough I'm burning more fuel to go the same miles I was really hoping to save some money with less repairs. BUT it's the same old story - front U-joints going bad. I thought Dodge got a handle on the crappy U-joints they were putting in these "Heavy-Duty" trucks and were using a better joint, or at least making sure they had some grease in them from the factory. Nope!! Left front started clicking and when removed was bone dry. Saw the right front starting to rust so I'm having both of them replaced @ 126k miles. Using NAPA joints this time. Hopefully they will fare better.
Wonder what's next, the driveshaft joints?? Wheel bearing hubs??

 

Forgot, the beast will be 1 year old next week. Happy Birthday!! Ya got a new set of u-joints instead of a nice Spring detailing!!

 

126k on front u/joints and thats crappy?

 

let alone 126k in 1 year and still think thats crappy? Not trying to say that they shouldnt last longer, but you did buy the one truck with the biggest baddest motor in it.

Weight+Fast Use+Lots of Use=Ware

 

I would think 126k miles is pretty good for non greasable u-joints.

MikeyB

 

You got exactly double the life of my front end, so in my book you made out like a bandit!

 

Its seems that factory non-serviceable joints rarely last more then 100k in any applications. But I think thats all they really design vehicles to last and it would cost a fortunate to build them to last 300-400k and no one would buy there newest trucks.

 

Well, that repair cost me $550.00. Replaced both of them at my favorite Truck MotorSports garage who charge me at a discounted rate. They also "save" the hubs instead of like Dodge who would just beat them off and replace them adding another $400.00 each ($800.00) to the job. If Dodge had done the job it would've cost me at least $1,400.00. All because DC wants to save a couple bucks by putting non-servicable U-joints in their "Heavy Duty" trucks. Doesn't really seem like a bargain now does it?? NAPA's greasables are $87.00 bucks retail. So just how much is DC saving by putting in crappy non-greasables?? And their loyal business customer having to shell out that kind of cash to fix them right?? I mean they do advertise these trucks as workhorses right??

 

You weren't expecting them to go a million w/ out problems, were you?

 

I'm just afraid that this is going to be the start of another trend of me rebuilding a $50k Heavy Duty truck just like with my 04.5. With the 04.5 it started with the front axle u-joints, then the hubs, then the tie-rod ends, then the driveshaft u-joints, then the tranny, then the rear diff and so on and so on. Most of those repairs I did twice in the 330k miles/2 years I had it. Of course the 04.5 didn't cost me as much as far as fuel was concerned, not because of the fuel price but because it averaged about 5 m.p.g. more than this truck. I have posted before that it has cost me 1,000 gals. more fuel to hit 100k miles in the 07.5 than it did with my 04.5. That's a huge difference on the bottom line, especially at today's prices. How much can I pass down. So with higher costing fuel and the same amount of repairs I might as well go flip burgers!! I was hoping for a break or trade-off of some kind. Does "Heavy Duty" mean 100k miles and that's it?? Jump into another one??

 

I've got 115k on my u joints, tow every day, new ones from napa laying in wait.

 

i never replaced my u-joints (any of them) 165K on my 1999

i have replaced quite a few on my 98 Jeep, since i started using Spicers (dana) i have not broke any

 

Comments like this would be like me calling everyone here "idiots".

 

Not sure I understand what ya mean by that. I'm merely stating that if I had the job done at the dealer, replacing a front axle U-Joint, which I did once on the 04.5, they beat the hubs off without trying to save them and then replace it with a new one, to the tune of an additional $400.00 for the hub. I have a garage that will do their best to reuse the hub which means they do their best to get it off without destroying it. It can be done, just takes more time which is not in the best interests of the tech at the dealer. I've talked to three different dealers and they all said replacing a front axle u-joint would include a new hub. Maybe there are some other dealers out there where that is NOT the common practice. My apologies if I offended anyone.

 

Some of those hubs are bad stuck on.Is the wheel bearing part or included in the hub?