U-Joint Replacement

I have the tools to do the replacement myself and have done this many time before on other vehicles. Unheated garage and bad back are the problem now.

 

We won't mention that you got screwed. I would have used an independent shop.

 

Thanks all for the tips in this thread.

Just wanna chime in to help others:

I know this is might not be the right forum, but the issue is the same. Mine is a 99 Tacoma extended cab 4wd.
Symtoms: Vibration between 40-60mph, then 30-60mph after 2 weeks. Squeaks when reverse or at slow speed. Thought it was wheel balancing issue but the vibration frequency seems to be too fast to be a wheel balancing issue. The vibration was throughout the car, no just at a particular location.
How it was fixed: I inspected all the u-joints (had 4 of them since this is a extended cab). The one that is connected to the differential was busted. I replaced that u-joint only, the other 3 would probably take me another day, they still look in good condition with no play. I have also replaced the carrier bearing, it was very loose. After the u joint and carrier bearing replacement, my truck is now butter smooth. It took over 4 hours with my dad's help. Did it all the common shop tools, no bearing press was used (used a hammer instead). Total was around $70, $15 for the u joints and $55 for carrier bearing from Autozone, Duralast brand.

 

I had mine replaced I have a local guy I use. Firestone wanted a arm and a leg the guy charged for all 3 what they wanted for one. I just remember backing up and hearing a squealing noise.

 

I just found this thread, I'm going through something like this myself right now. 09 DCSB with about 90,000 miles on it. Getting severe vibration between 10 and 20 and then at 55-60. The other speeds it makes a noise somewhat like a bad wheel bearing. I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow, if it ends up being ujoints would you all recommend getting the carrier replaced as well since the driveshaft will be taken out? Seems like a small price to pay for making sure everything works.

I can't really believe how many problems I've had with my 09 vs my 01. I had to replace the front wheel bearings back in aug, my 01 went 190,000 miles before needing anything and at that point it was just a rear axle seal. Zero problems with wheel bearings or driveline parts.

 

Got a question about this.
I'm pretty sure I have a u joint out, thinking of doing the repair in my drive way. If I get fed up with it and say F-it..... can i throw the drive shaft in the bed of my truck and use the 4x4 like a front wheel drive to take it to a shop 2 miles away?

 

Yes you can

 

Longtime lurker with a first post

OK so reading through I see MOOG U-Joints suck

Federated P354 U-Joints are now hard to find

and Damron Carrier Bearings fail

Rock Auto now a days has:

ACDELCO 45U0115 Greasable zerks
GMB 2151203 Greasable zerks

Any thoughts on these and any suggestions for a carrier bearings that worth spending the time to install. prefer only to do this once

Edit: I have a '05 double cab prerunner 2WD (no zerks) with 165K and a rattle

 

Just stick with Spicer!
Front driveshaft x2 (4wd, has zerks in center of joint) -

$24 Spicer 5-153X U-Joint - Individual

Spicer 5-153X

Rear driveshaft x3 (has zerks in end caps) -

$39 Spicer 5-1330-1X U-Joint Kit

Spicer 5-1330-1X

 

Thanks @Sandman614

I have a 2WD and may have misunderstood, but thought 4wd were not the same part numbers?

Any thoughts also on a carrier bearing?

 

The rear drive shaft of a Prerunner uses the same U Joints as a 4 X 4.

 

Copy

Wishing the group buy for the poly carrier bearing was on again. Just need to keep looking for options for that now.

 

Rockauto has spicer c.b. same as factory

 

How many U joints does a 2007 Prerunner Tacoma have in the front and are they all the same size??

 

Yes you can

or you can drive home 300 miles from a weekend of fun like this

 

2007 prerunner has no ujoints in the front
The rear driveshaft has 3 ujoints, all the same size, see the picture a few posts up.

 

To get these things nailed down a little, and in the 'products discussed'

$61 Spicer 5002334 Center Bearing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GAPFESW

$39 Spicer 5-1330-1X U-Joint Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOI8BDS

$16 Spicer 5-153X U-Joint Kit 1310 Series (OSR)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CKN762

TW member testing
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/center-bearing-and-u-joints.362457/#post-10306130

Spicer Catalog
http://danaaftermarket.com/search?cat1=115&cat2=97&cat3=14&y=2006&mk=Toyota&md=Tacoma

 

Sorry to revive this old thread, but I have a question.

Set of DANA/Spicer U-Joints came with three sets of snap ring clips, green, gray and copper. Which one do we use in a 4x4 Taco?

 

I used the copper ones. But check the thickness of the original and use the one that matches. I dont think it really matters either way

 

Thanks. I switched to the copper and it feels much better. I used the originals at first and the joint felt a little tight. Again, much appreciated.