Steering Coupling U Joint Shot, What to do?

[Kev90]

Hey guys,

I pulled out the steering rack this weekend and found my u joint going right into the steering rack is shot. Even worse than my driveshafts. The U Joint is a 15mm (.590") Cap diameter and 40mm (1.575") width and is staked into position. I found the Nissan Part number for the entire assembly is 48080-0W00A, and is about $180. I called my local Driveshaft place and they stated they no longer do steering u joints and since this u joint is staked in, there is a high failure rate if they did replace it. So they didn't want to do it. The U joint I need to replace is the one circled in red. What have you guys done to replace or do I just need to pony up $180 for an entire new assembly. I have searched the internet to find nothing.

[Hawairish]

Yes, the joint is not serviceable, and the entire link is only sold as a completed assembly, as shown in the pic.

Options are to hit your local JY or eBay...or buy one of the spares I have. I'll PM with some details.

[barnaclebob]

How did you know your U joint was shot? Sloppy steering?

[Kev90]

How did you know your U joint was shot? Sloppy steering?

Well in my case the steering rack was completely shot so I pulled the steering rack. Plan was to replace it with a rebuilt one and in doing so found the steering u joint was shot.

The pathfinder had a vibration when driving which I figured was mostly due to the driveshaft U joints which were shot and having a terrible alignment. This steering u joint might have been damaged due to the bad vibration.

Talking to a buddy who is a mechanic for a living stated if you have notchy steering that isn't smooth when you turn the steering wheel then you have a bad steering u joint.