Power Wagon Registry

I guess I'll start a discussion on replacing my double cardan joint. I don't know how, but I'm gonna learn. I had a squeaking the other week like a u joint. I narrowed it down to the double cardan. I greased it and it took it away.

Last night, i was coming up my drive and it was grinding and clicking. Do i need to replace the entire thing, our is it as simple as replacing a u joint?

Thanks guys.



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It's definitely able to be rebuilt. Idid the one on my 04 2500. Instead of writing out instructions, Judd check out this forum post, it's pretty detailed:

http://mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread ... an-Rebuild

Thanks.

Also, what exactly are we grading when we grease the double cardan? Is it one if the u joints, or something else. If it were the u joints, i would think there would be two places to grease, and there isn't......

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the only thing you are greasing is the centering pin... the two ujoints are factory lifetime lube with no zerks to grease them....to rebuild the double joint you need two ujoints and a centering pin kit.

verdesardog wrote:the only thing you are greasing is the centering pin... the two ujoints are factory lifetime lube with no zerks to grease them....to rebuild the double joint you need two ujoints and a centering pin kit.

Thanks deserdog.

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Dodge told me they don't sell a rebuild kit for center pin:evil:
They'll sell me the u joints at $109 a piece or the whole driveshaft for $569:shock:
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You have a driveshaft shop by you. I would let them do it. It would be quicker and easier. Sometimes getting the old u-joints out can be a bit!@h!!!!

$39 each on RockAuto.com. There are 2 types:w/inside lock rings & w/outside lock rings. The u-joints are extra of course.

http://www.quad4x4.com/qu10977.html

http://www.automotivepartsunlimited.com ... shaft.html

The drive shaft is at the repair shop. I'll have more details on Tuesday our Wednesday. Like Russ said, let them bust their knuckles doing it. Plus, a death in the family makes it tough to find time to work on it.

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I would do that also. I was just giving suggestions.

TwinStick wrote:I would do that also. I was just giving suggestions.

Yeah, thanks for the links Twin. I have done u joints before, just to cold and no time right now. I did edumacate myself on cardan joints though.....

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I am about to do this same rebuild on my truck Picked up Spicer U Joints from George at 8 Lug Diesel and a center section from napa if I need it. Now its just a matter of doing it. Today or tomorrow I'll take pics as I do it. It's been as cold as -40 at times here so I am not excited about it. Supposed to be -15 today so I will be taking it out and bringing my bench vise into the house to do it. Thanks for the link for the write up though. Helps me

My driveshaft is also squeaking...I've been meaning to rebuild it for a while now. I'm gonna pull it this weekend and try to drop it off at a driveshaft shop. Problem is there's none close by to me.

I take mine off the night before, put it in vehicle, then drive an hour to d-shaft shop & drop it off, go have a nice relaxing breakfast somewhere, read the paper, go pick it up & go home & put it back on. Bring some cardboard to put it on as most shops paint them too.

Just checked on the driveshaft. It won't be done till tomorrow because of holidays. He said $75 for a complete rebuild. The NEW double cardan joint doesn't have a grease fitting.....so we'll see how long it lasts.

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Maybe they dont know about it either. It may not have a "grease fitting or zerk fitting" but it may have the same push fitting as the factory ones ??? I cant see it lasting long at all if it dont.

Mine was replaced by the previous owner with a non-greaseable one. Dont know a brand but its been there for 60000 kms now with no issues.....

That's good to hear. I can only hope for best.
Both u joints and new center is only running $75, so i won't complain......
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The drive shaft is back in. Took it for a test ride and all seems well.

There isn't a grease fitting or dimple for the cardan joint but both u joint s are greasable Spicers. They did better than me or dodge.......with their $500 shaft.

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Good to hear that everything went well.

VA_Wagon Man wrote:The drive shaft is back in. Took it for a test ride and all seems well.

There isn't a grease fitting or dimple for the cardan joint but both u joint s are greasable Spicers. They did better than me or dodge.......with their $500 shaft.

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Did you grease yours regularly ? Did you take it off when you greased it ? Drive in deep water alot ?

I greased it every 10k or so but never took it off to do it......it was actually getting difficult to get it to take any grease. Yes, i frequent water crossings, usually dirty ones. My truck also has almost 151,000 miles on it.

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Would having a worn double cardin joint cause the vibration/grinding noise I'm hearing at speed with no throttle applied? I'm starting with all the small things before I take the big step of rebuilding my transfer case. I can't accept that at only 48,000 miles my transfer case bearings would already be shot. I've greased mine about every 10k but the truck sits for long periods and its pretty dry here in the desert so I can see how that could mean it hasn't been greased enough.

Driving with the front drive shaft off wouldn't cause any problems...right? Figure that would be the easiest way to single out the problem, take it off and drive around if the noise is still there...its the transfer case.

That is correct, it won't cause any problems. Take it out and see if that fixesthe vibration for you. As far as my research, a cardan joint in need of replacement would cause a lot of vibration and some clicking or other squeaks. I'd definitely try taking it out to see if that takes the vibration away.