Hello all. Hope I am posting in the right place.
Got some noise in my 2007 Ram 3500 4x4 when I turn left or right. I jacked it up and the left front axel ujoint is loose. Right one is solid.
So, I have searched the web for hours looking for repair procedures on how to replace that joint and with no success at all. I am hoping that someone out there has had the same problem and fixed it and perhaps lead me thru all the pitfalls. OR guide me to the most reliable source such as where I can get the detailed instructions on replacing those joints?
I have found that searching the web for ANY type of repairs on the 2007 is pretty much a waste of time as there is little out there.
All help will be greatly appreciated.

 

You will want to replace both. If you can swing it depending on mileage you may want to do bearings and ball joints. All that stuff has to come off to get the axle out. Look on you tube.

 

OK. Looked on youtube and got some interesting information. I will have to just start tearing this thing down so I can identify the things I saw on u tube.
Truck has 278K miles on it. I do plan to do both sides and replace all those things that need replacing.
One question I have tho, is can I drive the truck in its current condition for a 2000 mile round trip without problems? I have been driving it around town for the last 2 years with is clunking every time I made a turn and it does not seem to have done any damage. It only clatters when I turn.

 

If it lets go you will be stuck. IMO I would try to repair first.

 

OK. You have tweaked my interest and was wondering about that. By letting go means that the u joint would come apart or?? I looked at the whole thing and it looks like the u joint is still there but all the needle bearings are gone. So if the u joint broke the ears off would the axel shaft just drift outward? I am only guessing and if that happens the axel could drift outwards about 2 inches max. But am wondering where it would or could go to from there?? Dam, sometimes I wish I could understand this stuff like you guys.

 

Yes. Ujoint completely fails. The axle won't come out, however the axle could bind up. That could cause significant damage.

 

You've been driving on a bad U-joint for 2 years??? Why worry about it now? Also, at 278K miles, you probably need to change your spark plugs! It took me about 15 seconds to find all kinds of tutorials on replacing the joint, don't know why you looked for hours and found nothing. Sorry for the sarcasm, but your post, and you asking if it would be ok for a 2000 mile trip, is absurd.

 

Wow. I guess not everybody is as smart as you?? Also, I did NOT know that diesel engines had spark plugs, I will attend to that right away.

 

66three83. No needs to throw stones. Not everyone is computer savvy or mechanically inclined. People come here to ask advice.

 

Unfortunately, lots of them!