Truck is in the shop - They want to charge me $315 for a new Steering Shaft - Their reason is because the U-JOINT is siezed up.

2 ?'s:

1. What's the best place to get a replacement cheaper?

2. If it is just the U-Joint, do I have to replace the whole thing or can I just replace the U-Joint by itself?

About to call them back and hash it out, a quick response if y'all have any input would be awesome!

 

As far as I know its the shaft, since its a odd size joint or somthing.

On my 2000 it was a odd size, so we had to replace the shaft. When I sold something not to long after the guy had a 02 and said he was able to find out, but it was a ride-on tractors one haah

 

Ok thanks man. Yeah, I've been doing a lil research and so far I've seen already that I can get an OEM replacement for less than $200, so the search will continue thru the weekend.

On that note...if I was to consider going the route of pulling one from a junker, any considerations or opinions on replacing with a used from from a wreck or should I avoid it entirely?

 

I wouldn't get it from a wreck unless it was all rear quarter damage. If the front end is effed up then the steering shaft may not be something you want to take from the vehicle.

 

Good point and I was thinking the same thing. So far in my searches I have not been able to find a decent Dakota from a junk yard in my area yet (North Eastern Ohio) that doesn't have front end damage. The search continues!

 

Ok possibly a dumb question:

Is the Steering shaft the same in both the 2 wheel drive and 4x4?