The universal joint on the AWD driveshaft broke. It is $1000 to replace. My mechanic says take it off and drive with only 2 wheel drive until you can afford to replace it. Can I? or do I really need that driveshaft for some reason I don't know
paperman
Joined
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7,115 Posts
$1000? I hope they're at least offering to kiss you beforehand... 
A replacement propeller shaft from Majestic Honda is $384. Frankly, this is one of the easiest major-assembly replacement jobs on the vehicle, and will take no more than 1/2 hour, even if their oil-changer monkey did the job. The only "secret" to the job is you need a 12-point socket set for the special heads on the bolts at each end.
If you don't have basic wrenching skills, buy the shaft online and and find an independent to pay an hour's worth at the shop rate. This job should be no more than $500 total.
A replacement propeller shaft from Majestic Honda is $384. Frankly, this is one of the easiest major-assembly replacement jobs on the vehicle, and will take no more than 1/2 hour, even if their oil-changer monkey did the job. The only "secret" to the job is you need a 12-point socket set for the special heads on the bolts at each end.
If you don't have basic wrenching skills, buy the shaft online and and find an independent to pay an hour's worth at the shop rate. This job should be no more than $500 total.
Joined
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7,115 Posts
I don't understand the apparently unwritten law enacted in the early '90s where zerks weren't allowed any more. Apparently some engineer somewhere got c0cky about the "permanence" of synthetic lubes, and propagated the idea that sealed assemblies with so-called "lifetime lubrication" would outlast the vehicle.
Wrong.
Ford pulled this stunt on their truck lines - probably still that way - so the front ball joints will last 120K at best. Replacement is a nightmare on the 4WD models. The E has the same issue with no zerks on ball joints, although I think the overall quality of the design and materials is a likely contributor to why we haven't heard much about it here.
Wrong.
Ford pulled this stunt on their truck lines - probably still that way - so the front ball joints will last 120K at best. Replacement is a nightmare on the 4WD models. The E has the same issue with no zerks on ball joints, although I think the overall quality of the design and materials is a likely contributor to why we haven't heard much about it here.
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7,115 Posts
The "dirt" excuse has got to be a bit of a reach. Actually, I think it's simply cost reduction, eliminating the machining step of drilling at an odd angle into a cast assembly, which carries some complexities relative to CNC milling and jig orientation.
I think some bean counter somewhere figured out that each zerk and the associated manufacturing costs a couple of bucks, blah blah blah, and eliminating them wouldn't reduce buyer satisfaction because of the 70K rule. That is, 90% of new car buyers trade up before 70K and never have the opportunity to experience the cost of long-term wear and tear issues. It's a vicious circle sort of thing - people trade before 70K since they "know" there are soon to be problems, which the manufacturers then use as an excuse to engineer subassembly lifetimes at or near 100K.
I think some bean counter somewhere figured out that each zerk and the associated manufacturing costs a couple of bucks, blah blah blah, and eliminating them wouldn't reduce buyer satisfaction because of the 70K rule. That is, 90% of new car buyers trade up before 70K and never have the opportunity to experience the cost of long-term wear and tear issues. It's a vicious circle sort of thing - people trade before 70K since they "know" there are soon to be problems, which the manufacturers then use as an excuse to engineer subassembly lifetimes at or near 100K.
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