U Joint Question

[MRaynor]

I had a squeek while backing up and it got worse, so I took it into the dealership and they replaced one joint and said the others were good. ( To the tune of $211.00 ) Well 2 days after them doing this, I have the same noise again while going forward and a shuddering during take off. How can I tell which joint is bad? And what kind of job is this to replace, these things?

[Jet A Fuel]

I believe dodge has an bigger Aluminum driveshaft available that uses bigger joints. Not sure on the 2005 but from what Ive seen late model trucks have bonded in joints (no C-clips) and to break the bond takes a large hammer and a firm place to support the shaft. A press works the best.make sure you grease the joints with some good red High temp extreme presure grease as the amount of grease that is in the new joint isn't enough to adequatly lube the joint for long.

[RAM CR 24V]

Like he said. It also helps if you got a big vice, makes pressing the caps in so much easier. You can use a hammer to tap the caps in, just take it slow n steady.

One thing, if the failed joint is by the transfer case, your looking at another $100 to get a stock replacement (non greaseable). A joint from Napa (Precision Manufacturing) will not work as the shoulders on the joint, I guess you could say, make it too big and it will not fit.

Sucks I didn't take pictures last week, as I just replaced the one closest to the transfer case.