U joint replacement/need inspection

[Vanillathunder]

I just got a failed inspection because \"one of my u joints is rusted on and it will probably ruin a rotor to replace it about $600\".  

I haven\'t gone to pick it up yet but I think it\'s gotta be front end since I still have drums in the rear.  I\'ve never gotten much further than replacing a tie rod end on anything so any suggestions on how much this should cost or where I should get it done?

I have a dd so time isn\'t too much of a factor, but the inspection runs out Tomorrow so where ever it goes it\'s probably gotta stay til it\'s done.

I live around the corner from Patrick so that\'s where I took it.  I wanted to get the extended look knowing I could take it somewhere else if necessary.

[showoff]

Cant you just take the shafts out and bring them to like a fleet pride to have the ujoints replaced.

Then throw the shaft back in.

If you do that maybe around 200 bucks at the most.

[Wingman]

The u-joint replacement should be the easy part.  Getting it out to work on it could be a chore.

Wheel off
caliper off
rotor off
shaft retaining nut off
unit bearing off (this could be the hard part)
backing plate off
shaft out
press out the bad u-joint

Re-assemble in reverse order using liberal amounts of anti-seize compound so when you have to do all this again, it\'ll be far easier.

I\'m sure someone has a tip or trick for the \"hard part\"...

[showoff]

Hopefully you have a warm place to work on this. because its nasty out.

[Ryan_25]

I sent you a PM I may be able to help you out.

[smichaelR22]

\"one of my u joints is rusted on and it will probably ruin a rotor to replace it about $600\".

What? They cant fail you for that?  

Spray some WD40 on it and take it somewhere else.  its a jeep.

[showoff]

since when is a ujoint part of a inspection?

[ericautopart]

Thats what I was wondering.  Also I don\'t know about upstate NY but a lot of the fleetprides have garages too, no?  They should be able to do all of the work for you there if you have nowhere to do it..

[Vanillathunder]

Thanks for the feed back all of you.  I\'m not sure how they can fail for that either.  

Ryan, thanks for the offer, I\'ll let you know.  Like I said I have a DD so time isn\'t all that imortant to me.  I\'ll be sure to let you know soon.

Since the asshat\'s took the sticker off, like they weren\'t supposed to.  I\'m still up for debate on what I\'m gonna do.

[Vanillathunder]

Ha, I had a guy a Pep Boys look at it and he just called me back and it passed.

[Ryan_25]

You should still replace the u-joints

[MrMindless]

yeah, they cannot fail you for a ujoint.  if someone charges you a full shop rate and actual time to do it, it might be $600 with a unit bearing that has never been removed though.  Guaranteed to be a major pain to pull.

I think if I ever can\'t go somewhere I know for an inspection I\'m going to bring a printout of the book and if they BS me on anything I\'ll beat them with it, and give them papercuts.  I hate that crap.

[showoff]

^^^ lol thats great.

[ericautopart]

It really shouldn\'t be all that bad to do yourself.  There\'s a ball joint press kit that should put the u-joint right out after the clip has been removed.  The new one should slide ride in.  Ofcourse..I say should because nothing ever works right.

[MrMindless]

The Harbor Freight ball joint press is invaluable....  but what it doesn\'t make easier is getting the unit bearing out of the knuckle, or getting the hub nut loose (HF 3/4\" drive socket set is good for that).