BigRigTech
Diesel junky
I too will only buy greasable u-joints/tie rods/balljoints - no "lifetime" junk for me.
You seem to have the worst, or at least weirdest, luck of anyone on this board!
zigg-Also, it is a solid Dana 60 front axle, so, the high cost is due to having to pull the cover off the pumpkin, pull both front wheels off, brakes, bearings, rotors, spindles, and pull both axles out to re-do the joints. Total 6 hours labour, and parts(I had joints, seals done on the axle, and new bearings and seals on both hubs too.), so there was a fairly decent bill for parts. Finally, up here in Canada, the Gov't gets 13% tax on everything and every dollar spent, so the bill is always more than you'd expect it to be.