Due to a lack of proper maintenance, failures of U joints have occurred on some 2011-2018 heavy-duty Ram front drive shafts double cardan universal joints. This applies to 4WD vehicles equipped with a manual shift-on-the-fly transfer case or electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case.
The joint must be lubricated with a needle nose grease gun adapter every 8,000 miles (gas engine) or every 7,500 miles (diesel engine). Use Mopar type MS-6560 lithium based grease or equivalent.
Inspect the double cardan joint near the transfer case front output shaft during service. Check for signs of distress including gaps in the bearing area and rusty powder on the yoke surfaces and repair as needed.
About the Author
Information courtesy of Mitchell 1
Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.
Mike Mavrigian
Motor Age Editor
Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.