U joints?

[Gd-mcm]

This might be a strange or stupid question, but how many u joints are on a 2004 GMC sierra? My husband said 4 and he's probably right, but when I went to look up parts, there was a moog u joint kit for his truck but it said it came with 5 u joints. There was also this that was underneath a product description on a different site....

• Fitment note:
• - Sierra 1500 SLT; 8 Cyl 5.3L; 78.0 in. Bed, Extended Cab Pickup, RWD, With 1-3/16 in. O.D. Bearings,
  With 3 Joint Shaft, With Steel Shaft

What does it mean 'with 3 joint shaft' is that where the 5th one comes in if there is a 5th one? I was under the assumption that there were 2 in the front and 2 in the back. We have someone that's going to put the new ones on if we take them to him, I just want to make sure to get what he needs.

[Andy Seibel]

following, because I'm not a mechanic, maybe I'll learn something.

 

But my guess is this: 3 joints on the main driveshaft alone. these are probably the ones you want to replace. (I thought there was only 2, but maybe they added one, who knows)

Then there are also two on the front axle, one for each wheel.

 

If you are just replacing u-joints for the fun of it, i would be sure that is really necessary for all of them.

[txab]

Three on the rear shaft, if equipped with 2 piece rear shaft. Also has a carrier bearing

[Gd-mcm]

They've needed to be replaced according to my husband, (I ask how do you know he says I just know...... and usually when it comes to his truck he's right) And its not that big of a deal because we took it to someone to work on transmission and asked them to replace the u joints while they had it up and they forgot so long story short he said bring the truck and the u joints back and I'll put them in. The parts aren't that expensive so I guess if I bought extra I could take it back if I needed to. But you should be able to see the "3rd" one if there is one right? you can look under the truck and see the other 4 so would it be safe to assume if I looked for a third one I would be able to see it?

[grampadirt]

Does your truck have Quadrasteer?Might be why there's five u-joints in that kit .I don't really know how Quadrasteer works.Rock Auto lists three for your truck.An extended cab probably has a carrier bearing which means there's a u-joint there(as txab mentions).So,one at the trans,one at the differential and one at the carrier bearing equaling three.