doge ujoints

[billy]

I had the u joints replaced on my 2000 dodge ram 2500 4x4 after plowing for 5 years. I was wondering do they have grease fittings? Plus the ujoint that was replaced by the mechanic was located toward the front shaft. Are there more u joint? I dont know much about ujoints but the mechanic said the noise came fron ujoint every time I was plowing in 4x4 and going in reverse I would here ticking or thumping kind of noise, but only in 4x4. Is that noise the ujoint?

[wyldman]

The u-joints may or may not have grease fittings.It depends on what he installed.You will have t ask him and see.If they are greaseable,grease them regularly,or they won't last.

There should be 3 joints on the front shaft.Hopefully he replaced them all,as when one goes,the others aren't far behind.

[billy]

Thanks chris for your help. I talked to the mechanic he said they do have grease fittings. How often should I grease them?

[wyldman]

Once a month during the winter,if not plowing.If plowing,grease after every storm.They will get full of salty water,and won't last long if not greased.Grease them slowly until all the water comes out,and you see fresh grease.Use a good quality synthetic marine grease.It holds up best.

Once or twice during the summer is fine.

[Chuck Smith]

And hope that he installed the joints so you can get an angle with the grease gun.... how do I know this??? :headwall

On the front axle, it is not uncommon to have a plug instead of a zerk, because it is possible with some joints, on certain trucks, for the zerk to get snapped off at full turn. I have 2 zerks and a 7mm wrench in the glove box of my 80 GMC. Both front axle u joints have plugs in them. Not saying this is the case with your truck, but take a good look now, before you forget...

Don't forget to grease the slip yolk on the shaft too. While you are at it, grease the u joints on the steering shaft (if it has zerks).

~Chuck

[billy]

Thanks for your help guys!!!

[Lawngodfather]

There is also 1 U joint in each of the axel shafts, and 2 on the rear driveshaft.

That's 7 of them to grease.

The upper ball joints you can grease from the top, the lowers, you have to grease whith the front shafts out of the truck, cause the U joints will hit the zerk fitting.

The tie rod ends each have a zerk, and the drag link to pitman arm, and to cross linkage.

The 7 U joints zerks plus the upper ball joints and 2 tire rod end, and 2 drag links

That's 13 grease zerks to hit plus 2 you can do if you have the U joints in the right position and pull the plug and put a zerk on.

[Pickering Snow]

Chuck your right on zerks on alot of apps that interfere with axle rotation one thing i do for my cust is install a surface zerk it is flush with the joint and can be screwed in with a screw driver it does require the use of a needle grease fitting adapter for your gun but there pretty cheap it keeps ya from having to go from caps to zerks.