fastimes

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

fastimes

$25.00? $600.00? $4500.00? No idea?

ddawson

This is how I did it.
https://fortwayneclutch.com/product/...v1330ns_25x95/
$209.00
https://fortwayneclutch.com/product/...1350_12sh3x83/
$329.00

Stephen Irons

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!

Bikespace

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.

cor66vette

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.

fastimes

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?

Bikespace

Read post #5. Did you call Bair's?

fastimes

Thanks. I did, but I'm not confident in my ability to remove them myself.

L-46man

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

Bikespace

That makes more sense! Your quote includes removal, rebuild, and reinstallation. I don't have anything to compare that to.

fastimes

FWIW, the shop has a very good reputation with Corvette owners here in town. They have $205 for parts and 6 hours at $105 per hour.

fastimes

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 . . .

Bikespace

Exactly! The parts and labor/hour seem reasonable. Is 6 hours total reasonable? Probably. I did snap a few bolts, and had to cut the straps. I sent the trailing arms to Bair's with one or two seized bolts.

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.

jackson

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.

fastimes

I do know of a driveline shop that people have recommended for my Jeep. I don't know if I would be successful removing the shafts myself, that's why I thought dealing with a "Corvette" shop would be the way to go.

jackson

Is that Dan's ??

I'd say that's on the higher side of in line.

fastimes

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?

BLUE1972

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.

jackson

What's Dan's quote turn-key solid dana-spicer x6 + balancing x3 ?

is your car a show car? Do you plan to have it judged per NCRS or AACA standards?