What's involved
What this repair actually is.
Universal joints (u-joints) are the flexible couplings that let a driveshaft spin while the suspension moves. When they dry out or wear, they clunk on takeoff and vibrate at speed. We remove the driveshaft, press out the worn joints, press in new ones, and reinstall the shaft in its original orientation to preserve balance.
Symptoms
How you can tell.
- Clunk when shifting into Drive or Reverse
- Vibration that grows with speed
- Squeaking from underneath at low speed
- Rust-colored dust around the driveshaft ends
If you delay
A seized u-joint can let the driveshaft separate at speed, which can damage the underside of the vehicle and leave you stranded.
Educational estimate. Real pricing depends on your vehicle, the inspection, parts availability, taxes, and shop rates. Use this as a guide while you shop quotes.
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