Universal Joint failures

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Steve Lusardi - 21 Nov 2008 12:50 GMT

Has anyone had U Joint failures on their long bed, quad cab 3rd generation
Rams? I have had 3 failures on my '04 Dually. The reason for the failures I
have determined to be the position of the drive shaft center bearing mount.
After careful measurement, I found the mount a little over 1" too high. I
have fabricated a steel spacer to compensate. The truck is now noticeably
smoother. The difference between full load and no load changes the
deflection angle of the drive shaft very little and certainly does not
justify the factory position of the center bearing. If you have not checked
yours, it is worth doing. I cannot believe my truck is the only one with the
problem.
Steve

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PeterD - 21 Nov 2008 14:55 GMT

>Has anyone had U Joint failures on their long bed, quad cab 3rd generation
>Rams? I have had 3 failures on my '04 Dually. The reason for the failures I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>problem.
>Steve

Interesting, I'll have to check. I've a single cab long bed, so it may
be an issue there.

No U-Joint in the drive shaft failures, but the U-Joints in the front
axle did fail at 30K miles... Replace under warranty, but a PITA just
the same. All to save a $0.10 grease fitting! Let's see, they saved a
dime, and what did it cost 'em? Oh, about an hour or two in labor and
parts!

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Dimbo Spams - 21 Nov 2008 18:12 GMT

I have a 2004.5 3/4 ton Cummins 6spd short bed quad cab. I have replaced
the front and rears twice. The last time at 96k, the first under warranty at
25k. They were shot,what gives?

> Has anyone had U Joint failures on their long bed, quad cab 3rd generation
> Rams? I have had 3 failures on my '04 Dually. The reason for the failures
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> one with the problem.
> Steve

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