thmsabear

Anyone else reading this.. if you have any knowledge about the u joints that are for sale on the internet that claim to be compatible with the staked in ones on the RX driveshaft (they're welded, I think) PLEASE post. I'm looking to having noisy center driveshaft support bearings replaced next week and maybe one or more of the u joints if there is a need to. I have heard from some sources that you can, and others that you cannot, replace the u joints on a RX300.

My 2002 RX has 157k as well. When it's below freezing if I don't let the vehicle warm up for 2-3 minutes it doesn't want to shift into 3rd gear. Although once warmed up even a little, it shifts solidly and smoothly. I have personally seen several instances of 200k without a tranny rebuild. But, if you tow anything that is a different ball game. Have you kept up with replacing the fluid? That makes a difference too. Good luck to you.

That sounds like good news to me. Thanks again for your input.

Thank you. I will check into replacing the support bearings only versus whole driveline. Anyone have knowledge as to the legitimacy of the "new" u-joint products that claim to be compatible with the supposed non-replaceable ones on this driveline? I would not be happy to find I must replace the driveshaft because of bad u-joints after putting new support bearings on.

I have minor driveline vibration and a faint whine. Thought maybe it was a u-joint and also a wheel bearing making noise. Had a reputable shop look it over. Diagnosis was: "Probable rear driveshaft u-joint and center support bearing. Recommend driveshaft replacement, u-joints not serviceable. We don't recommend replacing center support bearing without dropping driveshaft and inspecting u-joints. Rear center support bearing whines." New driveshaft= $1200 plus labor (oem) Remanufactured driveshaft= $700 plus labor (wholesale import autoparts and buyautoparts) Salvaged center section only= $175 plus labor My question is, Are the ads on the internet for u-joints for my vehicle bogus or does the shop just want to sell a whole driveline? My first thought was to find a salvaged center driveshaft piece with good bearings and pop in the new u-joints if it can be done. However, I don't want to be cheap and end up regretting it. But at the same time she has 157,000 miles and there are other things to fix in the not so distant future. Any suggestions or ideas?