U-Joint replacement cost
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
U-Joint replacement cost
Knowing that prices can vary from region to region and shop to shop, what is a reasonable price one can expect to pay to replace all u-joints (parts and labor) from a Corvette specialty shop?
I'm almost certain that at least one of mine is failing, so I've only been driving very close to home, and even then, I'm driving with kid gloves. I'm currently not equipped to attempt it myself, and I'd like to have a ballpark idea of cost before I start getting estimates from local shops.
Thanks
I'm almost certain that at least one of mine is failing, so I've only been driving very close to home, and even then, I'm driving with kid gloves. I'm currently not equipped to attempt it myself, and I'd like to have a ballpark idea of cost before I start getting estimates from local shops.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
This is how I did it.
https://fortwayneclutch.com/product/...v1330ns_25x95/
$209.00
https://fortwayneclutch.com/product/...1350_12sh3x83/
$329.00
https://fortwayneclutch.com/product/...v1330ns_25x95/
$209.00
https://fortwayneclutch.com/product/...1350_12sh3x83/
$329.00
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 447
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Knowing that prices can vary from region to region and shop to shop, what is a reasonable price one can expect to pay to replace all u-joints (parts and labor) from a Corvette specialty shop?
I'm almost certain that at least one of mine is failing, so I've only been driving very close to home, and even then, I'm driving with kid gloves. I'm currently not equipped to attempt it myself, and I'd like to have a ballpark idea of cost before I start getting estimates from local shops.
Thanks
I'm almost certain that at least one of mine is failing, so I've only been driving very close to home, and even then, I'm driving with kid gloves. I'm currently not equipped to attempt it myself, and I'd like to have a ballpark idea of cost before I start getting estimates from local shops.
Thanks
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!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Can you get the pieces out of the car, and back in, yourself? I don't have a press, or the desire to own one, so I sent my half-shafts out to be rebuilt. Bair's Corvette will do half-shafts and driveshafts for $95- each (plus shipping). I may have paid a bit more to get solid Spicer U-joints, but I sent them with my trailing arms so the shipping cost was hidden by the rest of the expense.
A local shop can certainly do it, too, but may not take the time to clean and repaint them, but you can do that yourself once they are off the car. If a local shop charges more than $100- per shaft, that is way too much, especially since you can get a complete new set to bolt-on for $450.
A local shop can certainly do it, too, but may not take the time to clean and repaint them, but you can do that yourself once they are off the car. If a local shop charges more than $100- per shaft, that is way too much, especially since you can get a complete new set to bolt-on for $450.
Last edited by Bikespace; Jan 19, 2019 at 09:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 1,311
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I brought my 1/2 shafts to a driveline specialty shop in Daytona Beach. All 1/2 shaft u-joints were replaced with non-greasable Spicer u-joints for $100.00 while I waited.
He would balance the drive shaft and replace both u-joints for $100.
He would balance the drive shaft and replace both u-joints for $100.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
I just received an estimate from a local shop to do all 6 u-joints (Spicer solid replacements) for $889.44 (parts, labor, shop supplies and tax).
Shop owner/operator is NCRS member.
High? Low? In line?
Shop owner/operator is NCRS member.
High? Low? In line?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
All u-joints equals 6 each x 4 caps each.
Assuming a lift is available removal of driveshaft and half shafts is about 1 hour x $125 nat'l avg shop rate.
Replacement with proper press, cleaning up the yokes and circlips et al about 1/2 hour per yoke x 6= 3 hours x $125 = $375
Re-install again about an hour =$125
U-joints all with needle grease capabilities about $36 each= $216
The 'shop rate is going to be the big driver.
Best guess.... $841
Ps I do them myself...paint the shafts etc etc....so it takes me a weekend LOL!
UnkaHal
Assuming a lift is available removal of driveshaft and half shafts is about 1 hour x $125 nat'l avg shop rate.
Replacement with proper press, cleaning up the yokes and circlips et al about 1/2 hour per yoke x 6= 3 hours x $125 = $375
Re-install again about an hour =$125
U-joints all with needle grease capabilities about $36 each= $216
The 'shop rate is going to be the big driver.
Best guess.... $841
Ps I do them myself...paint the shafts etc etc....so it takes me a weekend LOL!
UnkaHal
Last edited by L-46man; Mar 8, 2019 at 01:14 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
All u-joints equals 6 each x 4 caps each.
Assuming a lift is available removal of driveshaft and half shafts is about 1 hour x $125 nat'l avg shop rate.
Replacement with proper press, cleaning up the yokes and circlips et al about 1/2 hour per yoke x 6= 3 hours x $125 = $375
Re-install again about an hour =$125
U-joints all with needle grease capabilities about $36 each= $216
The 'shop rate is going to be the big driver.
Best guess.... $841
Ps I do them myself...paint the shafts etc etc....so it takes me a weekend LOL!
UnkaHal
Assuming a lift is available removal of driveshaft and half shafts is about 1 hour x $125 nat'l avg shop rate.
Replacement with proper press, cleaning up the yokes and circlips et al about 1/2 hour per yoke x 6= 3 hours x $125 = $375
Re-install again about an hour =$125
U-joints all with needle grease capabilities about $36 each= $216
The 'shop rate is going to be the big driver.
Best guess.... $841
Ps I do them myself...paint the shafts etc etc....so it takes me a weekend LOL!
UnkaHal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
I wish I had the competence to do the job myself. I'm going to guess these are the originals in the car. I have nightmares of seized, rusted bolts snapping off on me . . .
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
The big danger is the other stuff that might be discovered. Hopefully it will be an easy job. You may be able to pre-treat the bolts with Kano Kroil, just don't get any on your hubs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
OP
there are several driveshaft aka driveline shops in-around your locale.
Can you successfully remove the three shafts and take them to shop? If so, you do Not need a vette shop.
Have driveshaft shop install six solid dana-spicer ujoints and check/rebalance three shafts... save several hundred over your quote.
there are several driveshaft aka driveline shops in-around your locale.
Can you successfully remove the three shafts and take them to shop? If so, you do Not need a vette shop.
Have driveshaft shop install six solid dana-spicer ujoints and check/rebalance three shafts... save several hundred over your quote.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
OP
there are several driveshaft aka driveline shops in-around your locale.
Can you successfully remove the three shafts and take them to shop? If so, you do Not need a vette shop.
Have driveshaft shop install six solid dana-spicer ujoints and check/rebalance three shafts... save several hundred over your quote.
there are several driveshaft aka driveline shops in-around your locale.
Can you successfully remove the three shafts and take them to shop? If so, you do Not need a vette shop.
Have driveshaft shop install six solid dana-spicer ujoints and check/rebalance three shafts... save several hundred over your quote.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
Yes. I just contacted them for a quote on the U-Joints. (The original quote is not from Dan's)
Dan's does have a solid reputation here. Should I be concerned that they are not a "Corvette Specialty" shop?
Dan's does have a solid reputation here. Should I be concerned that they are not a "Corvette Specialty" shop?
Last edited by fastimes; Mar 8, 2019 at 05:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,224
Likes: 1,672
From: Long Island
Moog precision non greaseable (heavy duty) from Rock Auto,I pulled them and put them back in. Local shop pressed them in = total cost was less than $300.
If you are not comfortable doing it yourself - then what ever they charge is good piece of mind. They should last 20 years.
If you are not comfortable doing it yourself - then what ever they charge is good piece of mind. They should last 20 years.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Mar 8, 2019 at 07:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
is your car a show car? Do you plan to have it judged per NCRS or AACA standards?
Last edited by jackson; Mar 8, 2019 at 07:11 PM.