U-Joint replacement cost
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 341
I overpaid a Chevy dealer $750 to do all of them. Without a lift certain jobs I just don't do.
I thought that was highway robbery.
It's a long story as to why I didn't just go pick up the car and take it over to the pro's, "Phoenix Rack & Axle"
Make an appointment, drive down, and I'll give you the Phoenix nickle tour while they work on it.
I thought that was highway robbery.
It's a long story as to why I didn't just go pick up the car and take it over to the pro's, "Phoenix Rack & Axle"
Make an appointment, drive down, and I'll give you the Phoenix nickle tour while they work on it.
Last edited by wadenelson; Mar 8, 2019 at 11:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
Still waiting on the final Estimate from Dan's. My car is far from NCRS/AACA condition, however I do want things done correctly.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
I overpaid a Chevy dealer $750 to do all of them. Without a lift certain jobs I just don't do.
I thought that was highway robbery.
It's a long story as to why I didn't just go pick up the car and take it over to the pro's, "Phoenix Rack & Axle"
Make an appointment, drive down, and I'll give you the Phoenix nickle tour while they work on it.
I thought that was highway robbery.
It's a long story as to why I didn't just go pick up the car and take it over to the pro's, "Phoenix Rack & Axle"
Make an appointment, drive down, and I'll give you the Phoenix nickle tour while they work on it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,653
Likes: 2,558
I would think any competent repair shop could do U joints. The main drive shaft is not anything unique to Corvettes. The only thing on the half shafts is to make sure if they use greaseable u-joints they install them so that the fittings will be accessible once the joints are installed.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,885
Likes: 4,469
From: Virginia
I would think any competent repair shop could do U joints. The main drive shaft is not anything unique to Corvettes. The only thing on the half shafts is to make sure if they use greaseable u-joints they install them so that the fittings will be accessible once the joints are installed.
Having only done it myself by taking the entire rear apart first and cutting the straps, it may not be the easiest thing to get the half-shafts out of the car and back in. I had to cut the trailing arms out of the car, and cut the strut rods out of the trailing arms. It might be easier with a proper lift and an extra set of hands.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
The U-Joints themselves, no, nothing special (though you should use the solid Spicers). The Spicers are a bit tight, so they will need to use the thinnest shims.
Having only done it myself by taking the entire rear apart first and cutting the straps, it may not be the easiest thing to get the half-shafts out of the car and back in. I had to cut the trailing arms out of the car, and cut the strut rods out of the trailing arms. It might be easier with a proper lift and an extra set of hands.
Having only done it myself by taking the entire rear apart first and cutting the straps, it may not be the easiest thing to get the half-shafts out of the car and back in. I had to cut the trailing arms out of the car, and cut the strut rods out of the trailing arms. It might be easier with a proper lift and an extra set of hands.
I'm going to have Dan's Driveline Shop do some work on my Jeep. I'll get a feel for the work they do and see if I'd trust them with my C3.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 139
From: Indianapolis IN
I just had the driveshaft removed, new Dana u-joints installed, driveshaft balanced, and reinstalled for $200. I’ll do the half shafts myself later this spring. I just think the the driveshaft is a little more of a b-tch to get to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,222
Likes: 943
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
That's my fear with these things! I'm somewhat comfortable doing certain things. When i finally invest in some ramps or a quickjack, I'll venture further into undercarriage maintenance and repair, but the thought of busting off bolt heads and cutting straps to get them out is not something I would want to tackle right now.
I'm going to have Dan's Driveline Shop do some work on my Jeep. I'll get a feel for the work they do and see if I'd trust them with my C3.
I'm going to have Dan's Driveline Shop do some work on my Jeep. I'll get a feel for the work they do and see if I'd trust them with my C3.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...t-replacement/
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...t-replacement/
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
It was an easy job on jackstands. I found the french locks sucked and twisted up before I got the TQ spec.
I used Red lock tight like GM is using on new cars instead.
In the rear without a helper I use the parking brake to hold the shaft in place to do a few bolts then turn the wheels to get to the others.
I used Red lock tight like GM is using on new cars instead.
In the rear without a helper I use the parking brake to hold the shaft in place to do a few bolts then turn the wheels to get to the others.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
For what it is worth:
The quote you got from that Corvette shop in your area is as you have seen.... well in line and they are not raking you over the coals.
YES..I would also stick with the solid Spicers myself...but do as you wish.
DUB
The quote you got from that Corvette shop in your area is as you have seen.... well in line and they are not raking you over the coals.
YES..I would also stick with the solid Spicers myself...but do as you wish.
DUB
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
I've decided to stick with the solid Spicers and have him do the work.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 327
From: Indy Indiana
the french locks are a pain.. extra labor, shops will charge for that.
the outer half shafts u joints are a pain where you need a special tool and skill to not mess that up.
spicer solids are great but cost and the shop will have a markup.
get your drive shaft balanced, and your half shafts blasted and painted.
1000 bucks total for a nice, correct, total job....
the outer half shafts u joints are a pain where you need a special tool and skill to not mess that up.
spicer solids are great but cost and the shop will have a markup.
get your drive shaft balanced, and your half shafts blasted and painted.
1000 bucks total for a nice, correct, total job....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
the french locks are a pain.. extra labor, shops will charge for that.
the outer half shafts u joints are a pain where you need a special tool and skill to not mess that up.
spicer solids are great but cost and the shop will have a markup.
get your drive shaft balanced, and your half shafts blasted and painted.
1000 bucks total for a nice, correct, total job....
the outer half shafts u joints are a pain where you need a special tool and skill to not mess that up.
spicer solids are great but cost and the shop will have a markup.
get your drive shaft balanced, and your half shafts blasted and painted.
1000 bucks total for a nice, correct, total job....
The shop I spoke to offered, as an additional option, to sandblast and correctly finish the half-shafts. With doing that, it would put me right at a grand.
I do have to confirm that they will balance the driveshaft.
Great estimating on your part!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,681
Likes: 1,364
When you say "not equipped to attempt myself", d'you mean no jack or axle stands? Apart form some usual hand tools that's pretty much all you need to get the shafts off the car. Then take them to a local 'shop (that you guys over there have all over the place!!) and they will do the pressing out and in of new U/Js.
That's how I did ours the first time around, 15 or so years ago. (That cost me not much more than a "drink") More recently, I pressed them out myself - I think I'd let someone else enjoy that task next time!
That's how I did ours the first time around, 15 or so years ago. (That cost me not much more than a "drink") More recently, I pressed them out myself - I think I'd let someone else enjoy that task next time!
It ain't rocket surgery. I always do mine myself. Was actually surprised when a friend paid a shop to press his in??? I grew up working on a farm shop and the equipment used tons of u-joints and they got abused....and they were located in all kinds of goofball locations. We were changing u-joints routinely (that means like all the time!). Not sure what you mean by "not equipped" but if you can remove the parts, then you can replace the u-joints.
Last edited by carriljc; Mar 13, 2019 at 11:32 PM.