My right front ujoint went out, when I heard the clunking noise I drove home which was about 4 miles. I looked and the ujoint was missing one cap end, you can imagine how loose/wobble it was.
Decided to let a mechanic work on it that I use from time to time. Even used one of my free tows to get to his shop. Was only going to charge an hour labor ($70.00) and part cost. He will even let me bring parts if I want. I said go ahead and get ujoint himself.
Anyway, he called and said axle wasn't any good, reamed out. Guess that is why cap was gone and that 4 mile drive didn't help anything.
They found a right front axle for $475.00. I figure the used parts business can stick it to me for a 1996 4X4 axle.
My question to you guys is do you think that is high for an axle?

 

Is that installed? If it's just the part, that's 'brand new' pricing. And even at that, that's stupid expensive. They must have some serious markup there.....

Should be able to get a used one for cheap, just stick a new u-joint in there while its out. And call it a day.

 

I took it to mean new, at O'Reillys they have a range $385 +, but he didn't specifically say new or O'reillys.

Dorman $385 plus .0915 tax https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/d...am-1500?q=axle

Spicer at $454 then add tax .0915 https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/s...am-1500?q=axle

and a power torque for $359.99 plus .0915 tax

These all included ujoint and spindle, then he most likely added some for resale? I will have to find out exactly, I had just got out of doctors office, felt like crap when they called and put my trust in he would do me right. Had 60 miles to drive home. Has for last 6 years. We will see.

 

Look on craigs list for a truck being parted out, You can get a complete axle for what they want for just the shaft. Or just go to the junk yard and get them.You want to put in spicier u joints. Don't bother with any other brand they don't last.

 

Yep I may have screwed up, will find out tomorrow what brand he put in. Had a migraine today, plus drive 60 miles to eye doctor in Kansas City to see if the macular degeneration is progressing as well as cataracts. They dilated eyes, take a ton of pictures and say all is holding steady and see you in 6 months. Well that is good, but coming home with dilated eyes and a migraine and got the phone call about truck repair- wasn't think all that good.

I thought later, a good friend has acres of junk cars and some are Dodge pickups from a company his son works for. Craigslist is a good idea. I should look around and buy one for spare parts and store it at his place.

Now I just noticed I spelled axle wrong in title, still a little hard to see.

Getting old is interesting, old injuries get worse and new ones come along. Someone should write a book on what to expect.

 

If there was a book about it, no one would want to do it.

A VERY dark pair of sunglasses is a good idea for visits to the eye guy. Either that, or someone else to drive home.

 

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...le+shaft,10439

about $200 + shipping... likely the same price he is getting with his shop discount. shops get a pretty good discount from the local parts stores and charge customers the price normal people would pay... nice extra padding to the bottom line. honestly it's not really scamming anyone if you charge the same price for parts the local stores would charge them. tools, buildings, equipment, knowledge, employees, liability, warranty... they all cost money. alot of money.

 

Ended up being a Dorman from O'reilly that cost $421.32 plus tax, that was complete axle, ujoint.......
Then $70.00 for one hour labor, I know how to change this and I would have taken more than an hour, I could spend that long with a hammer getting that hub off after removing those 3 bolts.
Could have saved some money using an internet site, but was in a rush.