Hey guys, I've got a bad u-joint on the steering shaft of my 2003 Century 120. It's the lower joint. Freightliner wants to sell me a whole shaft for almost $1200 in parts. Does anyone know if I can replace just the joint? And if so, do you happen to have a source or part number for it?
2003 Century steering u-joint
Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Image, Apr 18, 2016.
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You should be able to change out the u-joint. I've never done it on a freightliner, but done it many times on a pete and kw. Any major truck parts store should be able to hool you up.
wore out Thanks this. -
Can't help specifically on that but just had the lower one replaced on my 01 Pete for under 100 for the joint
wore out Thanks this. -
Nothing to it. A guy should be able to change out a typical steer shaft u-joint himself with basic hand tools in 30 minutes or less.
wore out Thanks this. -
I agree with all these guys. I haven't done it on your specific truck, but can't really think of one that isn't replaceable with a few hand tools.
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I've changed out u-joints on steering shafts plenty of times, but never on a Freightliner. Call a different Freightliner dealership, give them the last six of the VIN, and they should be able to give you a part number. You can cross reference it to other manufacturers, as well, and probably find a compatible one at NAPA... that dealership seems like they're trying to milk you.
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Well I got a chance to clean the grime off and take a look at it. It's s ZF part, and it doesn't have replaceable joints. The caps are actually crimped in place, no circlips. I pulled the shaft off and am going to stop by a used truck parts yard in the morning in search of a good one that isn't outrageously priced. I gotta call a local driveshaft place in the morning also, on the off chance that they can replace that type of joint.
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Some of you Pete guys also have that in your horoscope. Last one,s we did cost about $450, wonder if they priced all the way to the steering wheel? Unless you find a wrecked truck with a new shaft it is probably not worth the risk. If you find joints to fit it let us know, thanks.
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Mine was $471 canadian for the shaft from the box to the firewall. Very easy to replace with two bolts. Just about everything was worn on the old one so I went all out. 2002 T800
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Well I walked around the salvage yard today and all the century shafts were non-replaceable joints like mine, so I started looking at other trucks. I found a Coronado with a nice tight shaft but a loose u-joint, but the joints are replaceable on this shaft. I picked it up for $200 and will put a couple new joints in and be good to go.
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