TO: 01SilverCC did you post this at BITOG? good idea.

 

Yep, sure did. BITOG is a great place to get info on just about anything, not just for my truck but computers, sale deals and coupons, the oil and gas industry, you name it. I have been a member there for a long time. The guys have given me some good advice over the years, and I have helped others when I can. They replied with good info on this u-joint and vibration problem but they will probably rip me a new one if they find out I am considering using Autozone Duralast Gold u-joints. It is about the only one I can find that is sealed and comes from a good brand name. I read on a couple of Jeep forums the DG u-joint is pretty good quality and will do a good job for a daily driver that does not go off road. I don't go off road. My original Mopar u-joints are sealed and they have lasted over 152,000 miles. I want to use a sealed one because they are said to be stronger and will last 100,000 miles or longer. It also looks like it is easier to install a sealed u-joint. You don't have to worry about putting the grease fitting where you can reach it.

Jimmy

 

Spicer should be the OEM brand and you can still get the sealed units if you search I had two places lined up but waited and lost the web links to them.


Most 4X4 people like to use them a very strong U-joint


Ok I found them

LINK 1

LINK 2

 

The model # that I found for a 2001 Dakota was the SPICER 5-1330X but you may have a different one

LINK

 

Thanks for the links and help but I had a guy on another forum who is a Master ASE mechanic up in Massachusetts for a really long time tell me the Brute Force u-joints work great and last over 100K with no problems. He says the Brute Force is all they use in his shop and they have no trouble with them. I can get all 3 u-joints at Advance for about $35.00 with an online discount code and pick them up at the store just up the street. I would love to use the Spicer parts but they are just too expensive. My wife and I are trying to buy a new house and we are scraping and saving every penny we can right now. I believe the Brute Force parts will be fine, they are made by Neapco which is another good manufacturer. Neapco is made here in the USA too.

Jimmy

 

Found this it may make it easier to do.

 

if you can rent or buy a ball joint remover. ( looks like a giant c clamp with a hole in the fixed end ) lots of penetrating oil and that tool makes it easy. Trying to do it in a bench vice is a pain in the azz and make sure you mark the flanges on the rear diff. and drive shaft so you don't have to take it apart and spin it 180 degreaser if it out of balance

 

I wonder if you can rent one of these looks easy

 

I think you can or buy one we have a place here in Canada called princess auto they sell them for 90 bucks or so harbor freight I would assume might carry them or you can take out a loan and get one from snap on

 

ha ha yea Snap on I dont know how anyone can afford there tools

WOW I just called a shop and asked what the price was for replacing my two U joints and it was $180 HA.

So about $120 labor on it yikes

DIY TIME