I have a joint and a bearing here actually. The joint is a press fit... I don't see how they'd charge $900 to fit it!
You would get some joy out of lubricating the uni joint, a squirt can of oil might help, but the best thing would be a hyperdermic syringe- with gear oil in it if it will make it through the needle...
The shaft is a bastard to get apart but its just knowing how to undo the bolt exactly and doing it... perhaps it has to be re-balanced after the new uni is in but I doubt it given the trouble people have balancing them, maybe they are charging up-front for the many returns they might expect you to do before it becomes driveable!Nick