I have a 2002 Discovery with approximately 85k and have been reading the posts about u-joint failures with some concern.

I recently had the transmission serviced (clunking noise) at the dealership when my Discovery was in for a crank sensorfailureand no mention was made of the u-joints.

I called today out of curiousityand they want $800 (part only - 920 including labor) to replace the front drive shaft (indicated they don't replace the joints - just the entire drive shaft).

A couple of questions regarding u-joints:

- Is there any difference between the $40.00 aftermarket u-joint offered by Rover Connection and the $60.00 one offered by Atlantic British (other than $20.00)? I have seen references to Precision 344 u-joints which I assume may be different than above. And it sound like 3 for the front and 2 for the back - 5 total?

- Is there any reason to replace the entire front shaft?Both of the above vendorsoffer complete front shafts for approx. $400.00.

-Onhigh milage vehicles should thedrive shaft (rear?) coupler be replaced in the process. Have not seen this addressed in previous posts.

- Besides the center-ball kit and above,is there anything else to consider?

Thanks in advance for your time andcomments.

Dave G

 

Welcom e to the world of Rover dealers.
You can take your truck into a small tranny shop and they will rebuild/replace the bad u-joints for around $150 give or take.
There is no reason to buy a new drive shaft. Once rebuilt, remember to have your grease fitting lubed at least every 12,000 miles.
As to your other question, no there is no major difference in the different u-joints offered unless you go to the performance version which aren't even made for our trucks.

 

What about Disco 1's? Did the same potential for Ujoint failure exist with this model?

 

bump.

 

If you cannot grease your u-joints - or you know that they have not been greased in a very long time, then yes there is a very good potential.

 

Thanks for the info