Please help me, I have an 05 Subaru Outback XT ltd (turbo with automatic trans). Mechanic is telling me that they don't replace just the u-joint, only the entire drive train. Can I get a used one at a junkyard? If I do, can I replace just the u-joint part or what? Subaru want $899 for this part. Aftermarket $649.. What should I pay? I don't know if I plan to keep the car -140k miles.its got a lot of pep! So, they tell me I shouldn't drive it, bc if it breaks it could screw up everything! Any advice would be appreciated!

The driveline technically has nonserviceable u-joints as they are staked in. A used one will work, has to be from an Outback wagon with a 5-speed automatic.

 

If it does break, it can potentially take out the back end of the transmission where the clutch pack for the all wheel drive is at.

 

Check out www.car-part.com for a driveline.

TheUjointstore.com

TUS-10 U-joint. The staking isn't that tough to cut off of the old joint. Then just press the new one in. This can be done with a large C-clamp believe it or not.

If not comfortable with replacing the joints, take the driveshaft and the new joints to just about any machine shop. I doubt if the labor will exceed $50. 

They are replaceable - old mother Subaru just won't do it.  $20 part and 30 minutes and they want you to pay $1,000+ to repair it LMAO!!!!!  Gotta love the incompetency of dealers.

 

Ujoints are $20 - $40 (Rockford is the $40 ones).

Like John said, any automotive machine shop can install it.

 

***Note - All Subaru dealers have a machine shop they use for resurfacing flywheels and resurfacing/repairing/testing engine heads.  So  your Subaru has a direct connection to a place that can and will do this.

 

So either:

 

1. See if Subaru will allow their normal machine shop they use to install the ujoint

 

or

 

2.  take the driveshaft to a (even the same one Subaru uses) automotive machine shop and have them install the ujoint and Subaru installs the finished product.  you can simply ask Subaru which shop they use if you need to find one.

 

* the shop will likely want you to supply the ujoint since it's an obscure repair/part.

 

or

 

3.  install a used driveshaft.  easy to replace and they fail rarely enough that this is generally a decent option, ujoints can be tested for lumpiness if they're like new or not.  hopefully the yard/shop is honest or tests that since you're not there to discern.

 

here's a link that has the part number he mentioned in the store above - i looked since i was curious of price, they have that TUS part number he listed above for $20:

http://theujointstore.com/staked-in-replacement-ujoints.html

you've given us as little information as possible to go on in terms of driving it - it's kind of like me saying "my leg is cut" - can i run on it?

 

1.  if it's been cut for 3 months, infected, gangrene, and arteries are damaged - then don't walk any more than to the vehicle to take you to the ER.

2.  if it's a paper cut you did yesterday - go run a marathon

 

generally they don't just let loose with no prior symptoms and can be driven somewhat. 

 

1. how long has it been having any symptoms (noise/vibration)?

2. how bad is it right now - the noise/vibration?

3.  how long is your drive/commute?

 

If they fail it's really bad news as depending which you joint it is - the furthest one up front can swing around and take out the rear housing on the transmission.  they certainly don't want that to happen, the customer would be really excited about Subaru not protecting them from that. 

Edited June 28, 201411 yr by grossgary

I've seen the results of a few that have let loose.  I can get bad real fast.  

Better safe than sorry.  It's going to cost less to fix it now than to wait.

Sorry for the late reply...got the driveline removed by the mechanic, drove it to Rockford driveline, they replaced both u-joints, (only made sense) and had it re-installed. All together cost about $200. Thanks everyone for your help.

SWEET! Good job.  that's an excellent price, did that include the ujoints or was that just labor?