half-shaft replacement

[PaulD]

I have a question for you guys ........ seems that when ever you start hearing that dreaded crackling sound when you turn your wheels and accelerate, EVERY shop says you have to replace the half-axle. Why is that ? There is no way to just replace the universal joint, or clean out and regrease the one you have ?

[crxlvr]

cuz every shop wants to milk you for all you got. if you know how to change them urself and ur sure thats the problem, go for it.

[PaulD]

so what your saying is that just replacing the universal joint is possible ... and a whole cheaper if you do it yourself. I haven't decided whether I want to an engine swap or not. I am sure I will have a plethora of questions if I decide to do that.

[spotovi]

crxlvr is right, those guys are the worst sometimes and you have to go around to every place you know and ask them to tell you what is wrong. Even if you know don't tell them, act like you don't know. I know that's hard for guys like us but try and bite your tonge. I've seen guys walk into places and they start with I think it's this or that and the next thing you know that's what the mechanics do. It's a good scam because the customer thinks he's smart because the mechanics agree with him and the only work he needed was like new wires or something. Know what I mean? If they come back and say you need 1 CV joint then good, if they say you need a half axle and an engine swap :-) then move on. This has worked good for me. I feel comfortable when a garage tells me the truth. I figure the mechanics are good etc.

Regards,
Spotovi

[crxlvr]

yeah he is right, go shop around for prices and honest mechanics, cuz if you go in somewhere saying i think i need a new axle, then the mech, will say sure you do along with this and that.


but the U-Joint isnt hard to replace, it just needs a few special tools to access and remove it, if you're doing it the right way.

however it can be accessed with most tool sets.