What a Difference New U-joints Make

[Kendo]

Just had the U-joints replaced in my '91 FJ80 yesterday and I feel like I bought a new car. The ride is so smooth! Wish I were tech savvy enough to have done it myself -- maybe I will have learned how by the time these wear out.

Next up in the maintenance/repair queue: Repack BBs and get my shizznit aligned.

What's a fair price for getting the BBs repacked? I think my mechanic quoted me something in the $250 range for the repack and alignment.

 

[little_joe]

Is your 80 lifted or at stock height? I've heard a lot of different results w/ new u-joints and lifted rigs. I'm doing my u-joints next week, figure after 15 yrs / 230k mi, they need it.

$250 for a birfield repack is very inexpensive. That does not include parts? And you're sure the mechanic has done this and knows what he's getting into?

 

[Weatherman]

I'm thinking he's quoting you for an alignment and WHEEL bearing repack - HUGE difference between that and a BIRFIELD repack.

Make sure you're asking the right questions of us and your mechanic. I did my own birfield repack and the parts cost for new wheel bearings, seals, gaskets, brake rotors, and pads was ~$600 from CDan. You'd be lucky to get a birf repack from a shop for less than $1000-1200, not including new wheel bearings or rotors/pads.

Paul

 

[Kendo]

Whoa! I didn't say anything about a birf repack, but I admit I could have been more clear (I used 'BBs' to mean 'ball bearings') -- Weatherman is right, I am talking about front wheel bearings. But I wouldn't be much of a newbie if I didn't get my terminology mixed up once in a while.

Here is exactly what I was estimated:

Repack Front Wheel Bearings: $215.86
Thrust Angle Alignment: $79.95
---------------------------------------------
Align&tire subtotal: $295.81

Is this a fair price for a front wheel bearing repack?

To Little Joe: I don't have a lift, my 80 is pretty much all stock and is the same age/mileage range as yours ('91, 237K). So far, I'm extremely pleased with the results of my U joint replacement -- the old ones may have been in pretty bad shape based on the difference in performance. I have a lot of confidence in my mechanic and his team because either he or one of his mechanics drives a very nice and desirable FJ40, so I feel pretty good that his shop knows how to treat an LC.

 

[Ebag333]

Seems like a reasonable price to me....but personally if I was going that far into it I would just go ahead and do the full front end job, especially if I didn't know the history of the rig of if one had not been done for a long period of time.

 

[little_joe]

Kendo, thanks for the clarification & followup. That sounds somewhat reasonable for a wheel bearing repack; I'd just as soon use new ones if you don't know the service history.

 

[e9999]

so, Ujoints are all that's needed for a new truck...?

neat!

smooth as in what? noise, vibrations, power?

 

[NLXTACY]

so, Ujoints are all that's needed for a new truck...?

neat!

smooth as in what? noise, vibrations, power?

Im thinking just removing some of the backlash that exists with old u-joints. I've got over 250k so its making me consider it now. Is there a how to on u-joints somewhere that I haven't noticed?

 

[VanGo]

Joey-

Here you go.... think of it as "re-gifting"!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/72157-how-replace-u-joints-your-80-a.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/80429-rear-axle-service-photos.html
IH8MUD.com - View Single Post - Upgraded suspension components: Data points

I am getting ready to PM the front DS and diffs this weekend.

Van

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the reminder, u joints are at the top of my PM list. I'm tired of that damn clunk.

 

[kidglove13]

I have a set of OEM front and rear u-joints sitting in a box in my garage waiting to be put in.