Drive shaft U-joint replacement

[Atticus]

Hello all,
I just finished reading Semlin's thread in the FAQ section about replacing u-joints, but I had a more general question. My u-joints are apparently toast, and the mechanic says that Toyota doesn't sell the individual u-joints and that I would have to buy new front and rear driveshafts. I think this is bs.

My question is: do I just call them on it, find what the part number is for the u-joints, and tell them to fix it, or do I take it somewhere else. If I do take it somewhere else, should any old mechanic be able to fix this, or should I take it to some sort of driveline specialist.

It is totally possible that when the mechanic said "u-joint" he meant some else in addition to the u-joint (slip yolk?), but assuming the worst, how difficult a repair is this?

Thanks,
Jay

 

[Romer]

This is BS. You can buy them from Dan here or any Toyota Dealer. In fact the Toyota U Joints are better than those made by Spyder or other aftermarket venders

 

[Atticus]

This is BS. You can buy them from Dan here or any Toyota Dealer. In fact the Toyota U Joints are better than those made by Spyder or other aftermarket venders

That's what I thought. In fact, I was on hold to talk to Dan and had to take another call (sorry Dan) at work. I'm a 0 banana kind of guy, but from what I read, it looks like even I could do this.

Thanks, Romer.

 

[Romer]

The thing about have a drive shaft shop do it, is they can also balance it for you. I recommend having the shafts balanced even if you do it your self. I chose to have a shop do it for $197 shaft. That included the Toyota U Joints, replacement and balancing.

 

[Atticus]

The thing about have a drive shaft shop do it, is they can also balance it for you. I recommend having the shafts balanced even if you do it your self. I chose to have a shop do it for $197 shaft. That included the Toyota U Joints, replacement and balancing.

That's definitely a thought. I'm sure as hell not buying two new driveshafts.

 

[OGBeno]

I think doing the u-joints is a reasonably decent job to do.

Check out Semlin's thread and Clownmidget's as well (both are well explained and done)

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=80429

I'd do the work myself, get all OEM parts, and then take to a drive shaft specialist to have them balanced.

Best regards.
-onur
Akron, OH

 

[FJBen]

I just got both of mine balanced at the shop. They installed the joint as they wouldn't warranty the balance if someone else put the joint in.

$100 per shaft install/balance/warranty. 90ish for the joints...so basically about where Romer was at.

 

[IBCRUSN]

Ditto on Romer's comment. I replaced my own u-joints and wanted to balance the DS's to cover my arse on a vibe that has been bugging me. If you do your own joints the balancing should be in the neighborhood of $45 - $60 each. I asked the guy if balancing after u-joint changes was necessary and his comment was that these days it is a really good idea. He added that if I had to replace a joint now (post balancing) that it shouldn't be too bad. Good luck.



PS: Just drove it on the highway after reinstalling both drive shafts, much better now. Spend the $$ and have them balanced while you are replacing the u-joints.