Need advice: 2005 Mustang U-Joint question...

Any mechanics or Mustang owners...

My wife has an '05 Mustang (V6), with 50K miles. It developed a rotational tapping sound in the rear end. She took it to the dealer, who charged her $59 to diagnose the problem. Their "diagnosis" is that it might be the U-joint, but until they replace it, thet won't know if it might also be the differential. Problem is, they say they have to replace the entire driveshaft with the U-joint, as it's all one piece. They want $600-700 for the repair.

Does this seem right? Does anyone have any expience with this? I've replaced U-joints before (about 25 years ago), but never heard of needing to replace the driveshaft too.

Recommendations on a transmission shop?

Not impressed with Ford quality [Rant1]

I could be wrong, but I've never seen a u-joint that couldn't be replaced. Typically a $20 part. Like I said I could be wrong though.


*edit* Just spent 3 minutes on Google and found out that Ford is making their drive shafts with staked in u-joints and are not replaceable. On cars and trucks I guess. That sucks, I've broken many a u-joint whuile 4-wheeling. I hope other manufactures don't follow suit.

Oh, and read some more, Ford went back to serviceable u-joints in the 06 model year. You're one of the lucky ones I guess..

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Originally Posted by jscwerve

Oh, and read some more, Ford went back to serviceable u-joints in the 06 model year. You're one of the lucky ones I guess..

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Well sh%#, that just rubs salt in it. [Bang]

I also read that it's a real bi¥€# to replace the driveshaft. [Rant2]

Well, the problem has interested me enough to look around more on it and it looks like a replacement shaft is around $700 aftermarket anyways. If the repair shop is going to do the whole job for that much, sounds like it is reasonable.

Another note, I can't possible see how it would be difficult to replace a drive shaft. It should be 8 bolts on the shaft and possibly a skid plate, would have to see it though.

I would contact a driveshaft specialty shop. They may be able to service the ends of the shaft, and make it serviceable, provided its aluminum or steel.

you can get a rebuilt from any number of quality builders in the metro area. I had ford tell me the u-joints were "probably" the issues i was having that caused my transfer case to leak, $1K for the shaft + labor. I went to a place behind kings pawn in greeality who did a new shaft, and joints for $175.00 OTD. Labor was on me. Took about 20 min to remove and another 15 to install, torque to spec then off the stands and on the road. I knew the shaft was worn but did not resolve the problem tranny leak. That they quoted me another 1K P&L. I did a tailshaft bushing & seal, again my labor for $28.00

I acknowledge repair shops do have competent tech, tools and training to do the job. If i am unable to trouble shoot & repair i go to the pros.
HOWEVER, it seems now a days the emphasis has shifted away from true trouble shooting and gone to a replace parts until the problem is resolved. A lot of the old time tech (like me) were trained to figure it out then repair, or rebuild, not "guess" this might fix it.
YMMV

Yeah, I've found some driveshafts for a similar price. I just can't get my head around being unable to swap out a $30 part like I used to. Seems like somebody creative should've figured out how to replace the u-joints by now...

Thanks for your info[Beer]

Sounds like job security to me I wold say take it to a more honest mechanic if you can't do the job yourself but its most likely just a u joint you will also feel a slight vibration when they go bad

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jim

you can get a rebuilt from any number of quality builders in the metro area. I had ford tell me the u-joints were "probably" the issues i was having that caused my transfer case to leak, $1K for the shaft + labor. I went to a place behind kings pawn in greeality who did a new shaft, and joints for $175.00 OTD. Labor was on me. Took about 20 min to remove and another 15 to install, torque to spec then off the stands and on the road. I knew the shaft was worn but did not resolve the problem tranny leak. That they quoted me another 1K P&L. I did a tailshaft bushing & seal, again my labor for $28.00

I acknowledge repair shops do have competent tech, tools and training to do the job. If i am unable to trouble shoot & repair i go to the pros.
HOWEVER, it seems now a days the emphasis has shifted away from true trouble shooting and gone to a replace parts until the problem is resolved. A lot of the old time tech (like me) were trained to figure it out then repair, or rebuild, not "guess" this might fix it.
YMMV

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Great info about the rebuilds. And I couldn't agree more about the change in estimates and diagnostics. We're losing true craftsmen in every trade.