I have a 2006 mega cab 1500 4x4. It has a bad front left U-joint. My mechanic wants to replace both front U-joints and both front wheel bearings. Do you think that the additional repairs are necessary? The truck has approx. 100k miles on it.

 

what problems or symptoms are you experiencing?

 

There is noise coming from the left front wheel and I can see that the U-joint is rusty and looks sloppy.

 

what kind of noise?

100k, do you know what has been done, ball joints , tie rod ends?

a "clicking" noise could very well be play/slop/wear in your u joints.

 

no other work has been done. I can see that the U-joint is bad on the front left side. it looks like the needle bearings have come out of one of the ends. It makes a noise once per revolution. So, I know that the left front u-joint needs to be replaced. But I'm wondering if the wheel bearings and other front u-joint needs to be replaced as well if they don't show any signs of wear.

 

As the 1500 mega cab is really a 2500 hell ya they fall apart, as per my 06 ram 2500, get servicable units for front u joints, might as well do the ball joints I lost my right drag link at 121,000 km, mopar stock suespensions last till the warenty is up!

 

At 100k I would replace them. Like brakes, you want to replace both sides at the same time and at 100k, why wouldnt you.

 

I just had both of mine done on a 2500 mega cab, 07 model with 100,000km (60,000 miles). 1 was rusty and 1 was siezed. They said the rest was ok, but recommended the ball joints since they had it apart anyways (kind of like doing a clutch because you took the transmission out). If the mechanic is good, he should be able to tell if those items are needing replacement and advise you. If they have it all apart anyways, its usually only parts and a minor labor charge to change those things.

 

I'm on my third set of u-joints. First were original lasted to 80,000 miles.
Ever since then, nothing but trouble. Can't tell you what went wrong, but my last joints only lasted 10k. Frustrated as can be.. I've never had to replace so many u-joints. And always the same 2. I've got at least 6 more in the drive train that are factory original with no problems. So now my third set of joints are going bad, clicking approaching stops. Had them installed less than a year ago. Pissed off having to replace them again.
2006 Mega Cab 4x4 Laramie Loaded

 

I wounder if the drive angels on the front Diffs don't allow the front U joints to flex, or move up and down, ie, self lub, All ujoints front to back were replaced twice while under waranty and and the fronts one more time off warenty.

Aftermarket U joints that are greaseable are really the only way to go, as well as ball joints.