Dealer??? Can't replace U-joint on a 03 Pathy

[cpta2020]

Well...

I have been trying to put an end to a vibration on my Pathfinder... its a 2003 Pathfinder Chilkoot.(CANADIAN MODEL)

Now Nissan 401/Dixie (My local Dealer) when they run my VIN informed me that there are no applicable U-Joint Parts for my Year/Model??? is this for real? they said that I would need to replace my drive shaft. apparently the U-Joints are an unserviceable item on my car??

Can anyone shed some light on this.

[04Chinook]

I believe all the u-joints on that year of pathfinder are replaceable. Is it front or rear driveshaft?

http://www.courtesyparts.com/images/r50/r50_370-4.gif

[cpta2020]

I believe all the u-joints on that year of pathfinder are replaceable. Is it front or rear driveshaft?

http://www.courtesyparts.com/images/r50/r50_370-4.gif

Its the Rear driveshaft.

I now have two different dealers saying two different things.

One of them is saying you can order U-Joints and the other dealer is saying NO you have to replace the Propeller Shaft.

just so we're clear is the Propeller Shaft the same as the drive shaft.

[04Chinook]

Propeller shaft is just the "technical" term for driveshaft. I think only the 2005 and up pathfinders u joints can't be replaced.

[fleurys]

Is your truck manual or automatic ? because the driveshafts are not the same on both models... I know I had to search quite a bit when I did change my ujoints on my 01... Mine is automatic and I did change the ujoint to neapco ones... the snap ring is inside... but I know for the manuals, the snap ring is outside I beleive...

[cpta2020]

Its automatic, this is really puzzling me, anyways the dealer quoted $539 for the drive shaft assembly that includes both ujoints. I think thats a good price considering here in Canada a local shop wanted $170 to balance my old shaft.
so i'll see if they send the right drive shaft.

[Buzzman]

Your dealer saying you can't replace U-joints is total B.S.
They just want to take the easy way out by replacing the shaft.
It's quicker and easier than replacing the u-joint, and they make more money.
I had 2 universal joints replaced on my truck this spring, no problem. (I have a Chilkoot as well).
I know my dealer and their tech really well, and I actually went into the shop while my truck was up on the hoist.
The tech had the shaft out and showed me the defective U-joint.
FYI: The reason I took it there in the first place was due to a bit of vibration in the back end.
It was definitely coming from the joint, and not a mis-balanced shaft.
Don't let them sucker you for a new drive shaft if you don't need one.
I also have to question whether you need to balance the shaft.
If it's been in the truck for this long with no problem, how does it all of a sudden go out of balance? It's solid steel.

[yeldogt]

Some dealers will not replace the joints and some companies don't sell the parts - they can be a real nightmare. If you keep everything lined up and replace the joint - maybe you will get lucky and it will stay in balance. But .... if it does not .... then it has to be balanced and most shops are not set up to do it. So the shop has to take the shaft back out and ship it out --- They are doing the labor twice -- it's cheaper for the dealers to order a new one. The joint is not balanced and is quite heavy. Also -- some vehicles are more sensitive.

[cpta2020]

Your dealer saying you can't replace U-joints is total B.S.
They just want to take the easy way out by replacing the shaft.
It's quicker and easier than replacing the u-joint, and they make more money.
I had 2 universal joints replaced on my truck this spring, no problem. (I have a Chilkoot as well).
I know my dealer and their tech really well, and I actually went into the shop while my truck was up on the hoist.
The tech had the shaft out and showed me the defective U-joint.
FYI: The reason I took it there in the first place was due to a bit of vibration in the back end.
It was definitely coming from the joint, and not a mis-balanced shaft.
Don't let them sucker you for a new drive shaft if you don't need one.
I also have to question whether you need to balance the shaft.
If it's been in the truck for this long with no problem, how does it all of a sudden go out of balance? It's solid steel.

Do happen to be in Ontario by any chance? maybe i'll go to the same shop you went to.

[yeldogt]

Many if not most independent mechanics will be able to switch out the joint -- it's not a big deal. They should know how to do it in order to get the best results possible - you just have to be willing to risk the balance issue.

Obviously any imbalance it is most noticeable at high speeds on a smooth highway - a bad joint is often noticable at various speeds.

[Buzzman]

Do happen to be in Ontario by any chance? maybe i'll go to the same shop you went to.

I'm in Ottawa (west end).
I go to Tony Graham Nissan in Bells Corners.
I know most people have nothing but bad experiences or bad things to say about dealerships, but these guys are different.
I've purchased 4 vehicles there, and have had nothing but positive things to say about them.
I have gotten to know most of the staff really well, and they always treat me fairly.
I always ask for one particular tech to work on my truck, and they always accommodate me.
One interesting thing about this dealer is that they have a very low turnover in staff.
I've dealt with the same people for years. That must say something about how the place is run.
In contrast to that, I helped my son buy a Hyundai Tucson recently, and that dealership was one of the worst I have ever done business with.
Never again will I set foot in that place.
Hope this helps.
Side note: I'll look around for my invoice and have another look at what was done. Might be some part numbers on there too. I'll check.

[fleurys]

well, I will say like the others, you are being robed. Changing the ujoints is even a procedure that is listed in the FSM of Nissan for your truck.. so if the dealer says it cannot be done, then he obviously does not know the pathfinder or he is lying to you... In both case you want out of there fast...

A ujoint cost 30$ and about 30 minutes to install with the right tools.. Changing a driveshaft for 500$ + is absolutely outrageous when the real problem is not there. Balancing a driveshaft is needed when you bang the damn thing on rocks or you do so much offroading that they get banged...not streetdriving... The weights on it are welded for god's sake !

read here for the part numbers for aftermarket ujoints for an automatic pathfinder 01-04 : http://npora.ipbhost.com/index.php?show ... ntry481906


and if you want to have fun a bit with your dealer, tell him to check the part number 37125KA in his system. Nissan calls them Journal kits, but they are actually U-Joints ! this part number is for the rear. If it is for the front ask him for the 37125K .... Then watch his face when he looks for it...




He's obviously trying to sell you the whole driveshaft assembly (37320)... put your money where it belongs.....in your pockets !

[Buzzman]

Side note: I'll look around for my invoice and have another look at what was done. Might be some part numbers on there too. I'll check.

Found my invoice: The part number of the "journal kit", as they call it, is 37126-VB925.(Canada).
The price for the part was $91.72.
Labour was $72.80, for a total of $164.52, (before HST.)
That's a lot cheaper than replacing the whole drive shaft, I would say.

Note: I also had my trailing arms replaced at the same time, so the total bill was more.
However, they itemized everything, so I know the above charges are correct for the U-joint.
Cheers.

[yeldogt]

Good dealers and bad dealers -- in every make.

Some dealers don't see older cars - so they are not always the best place to get older cars fixed. And the paths at this point are getting old.


Many don't fix -- they replace parts.

[Buzzman]

Some dealers don't see older cars - so they are not always the best place to get older cars fixed.

That's an excellent point.
It's safe to assume that most people only go to their dealers while their vehicle is still under warranty. After that, they start to go to independent shops.
Result is that most dealerships don't see vehicles that are more than 5 years old.
I've noticed that whenever I go into the service area. Most of the cars in for service are newer.
Having said that, I've been fortunate in that the tech at my dealership is a kid I've known since he was 8 years old (I coached him in hockey for many years).
He's been at this dealership for over 10 years now, and knows the Nissan lineup better than anyone can imagine.
I always make sure he's the one fixing my truck.
I consider myself very lucky with this setup. If he ever decides to leave, I'm screwed.

[yeldogt]

This is especially true with luxury german brands -- the cars are complicated ........... even doing simple maintenance on older MB's can be tricky. When the service staff has a high turn over ........very few people have the unique knowledge to work on the older ones and when they do, they don't want to because its often more profitable for them to stick with the new ones.