Hello to everybody,

I bought my 01 Ram 1500 2wd 5.2L with a Hypertech programmer and a trans cooler about 2 years ago. I tow a 28' travel trailer pretty regularly with it. It for sure is at the max end of the towing capacity, but has been over the rockies 3 times with no problems. Now I have 110k miles, and all I have done is a master cylinder. I changed the oil yesterday and noticed my water pump is starting to leak, thanks, found the link detailing instructions At any rate, I have been noticing a slight clank when speeding up or coasting and slowing down.... decided to investigate today and noticed some play in the u-joints. On the rear one, I can actually move the drive shaft up and down (only a little) but more than I would expect. I don't think there should be any play there, but wanted to check.

Any info would be apprectiated.

Jim

 

Oh, yeah.... Can I do this myself? It just looked like a couple of clips holding them in.

Thanks,
Jim

 

man i JUST got home from doing my ujoints... 2 hours if you ahve the right tools... ie: you DONT have a big vise or a unjoint or universal press... BFG and a good size crappy socket you dont mind wacking the hell out of

 

If you have an impact gun you can go buy the kit to do it for probably $30. Makes it really quick and easy getting them out.

But if nots its much more fun to drink some beer a take a few hours doing it Just need a vice that probably opens 10 inches or so.

 

Well, apparently, "shaking" the driveshaft wasn't the smartest way to check for play. Until today, I could not duplicate the noise 'on command'....... Until today, that is..... After I checked the play in the driveshaft, I changed the plugs (112.5k ate 1/2 of the electrode and 1/2 of the little arm) After reading some spark plug threads, I was comfortable putting stock champion plugs back in. Put them in, and it runs great.... Let's go for a little ride..... now the u joints clunk every time I let off and then give it gas.... Dammit!! I have a press at work, so I'm hoping I can do it in the parking lot. Otherwise, I'll look a little funny with a 6' driveshaft strapped to my back on my motorcycle

Thanks for the advice,

Jim
01 Ram 1500
Hypertech II
new plugs
busted u-joints

 

If you only do the rear theres only 2 u-joints so you should be able to do it in an hour

 

Is this a kit that autozone would loan you???

 

yea what kit? damnit!! if i coulda got a ujoint presser for 30 bux at autozone im gonna be pissed!!!!!!! lol would like to know what your talkin about socha

 

Actually they might.

AutoZone and Advanced **** me off with that loan a tool thing. I've gone to both 3 times and they don't haev any of the things I want to barrow, I think its kind of a joke. They're probably like "We'll loan this to you, sure! All you have to do is give us $40...and the best part is, you don't have to return it!" [:'(]

When I ask for the stuff I want they just say "No, we don't have that to loan but we have it to sell"

 

yea i noticed that too... they got a pully/steering wheel puller i wanted to borrow one day... i had to pay them 40 bux to borrow it and then theyll refund my money when i bring it back....then im like... hell ill just buy the stupid thing