COST TO REPLACE U JOINTS 65' RIVIERA ?

[V10]

Could anybody give me an approx cost to replace both u joints

in 65' Riviera ? Looking to have this done locally at a shop & I was given some crazy figures that blew me away.

[pyntre]

I JUST SPENT NEAR 600 DOLLARS TO HAVE MY DRIVESHAFT REBUILT ...NOT YOUR AVERAGE DRIVESHAFT WITH THE CV JOINTS AND CARRIER BEARING.

[Jim65Riv]

I had my driveshaft rebuilt six years ago. A local driveline company replaced the carrier bearing, installed three new u-joints, and balanced the drive shaft. It cost me $340.00 (September 2005 price). I haven't had any problems since.

[60FlatTop]

I put new u-joints in my drive shaft right before the 1981 Buick Nationals. It is really hard to find a shop able to repair the CV ball and socket; better left alone.

You will find that you cannot push the u-joints out because of the CV joint. Being farm boys we torched the u-joint out. After that it was easy to install the new ones.

It seems to have done the job, 30 years later it is just fine. Just get outside the city a ways, until you see some cows and farm stuff, you should find a shop to do it.

Bernie

[V10]

Wow , I guess what I was quoted was about right .

Lucikly there is only tiny amount of play in the u joint however

while I had it in for service I thought why not have it replaced

but I will pass on that with the cost involved

since I was told it was still fine and no need to replace it.

[Jim65Riv]

My carrier bearing had worn so much that I had a bad driveshaft vibration over 35 mph. It felt like the car was going to shake itself apart. It was a long trip home from a show 45 miles away.

[Jim65Riv]

To itemize, $45 to remove and replace the driveshaft, $26.50 for each u-joint, $68.50 for the carrier bearing, $59.85 to install the u-joints, $24.95 to install the carrier bearing, and $70.00 to balance the shaft.

[V10]

Thanks Jim , so around $350 or so ? I was quoted $700

that blew me away so I figured if its its only a slight play to just

leave alone .

[Jim65Riv]

Remember, I had my work done in 2005. Also, are you rebuilding as routine maintenance or do you have a problem? A rebuild done well will last a long time. Just remember to lube the carrier bearing. The instructions are in the shop manual.

[V10]

right now was considering as routine maintenance while car is having a full service done however I was told it only has a little bit of play and no issues when driving so likely I will pass on it due to the cost .

[Jim Cannon]

Tom, lube the carrier bearing now while it is out of the car. Leave the rest alone.

[1965rivgs]

Good advice Jim. The problem is not replacing the components but finding a driveline shop which has the necessary equipment to properly balance the driveline. This task must be performed at a REAL driveline shop,

Tom Mooney

[WWS]

I had the drive shaft from a 63 LeSabre done this summer, new carrier bearing and greaseable U joints, plus balanced. $510 drives like a dream now