Sure. You can drive it without a front drive shaft.

Without the front drive shaft you can go anywhere a 2WD can go.

You shouldn't drive around in 2WD with the hubs locked unless it is really necessary.

 

Nice thats what ive been doing anyway...

 

By the way, Welcome to . Stick around. You'll learn a lot. I did.

 

Great "how to", Thanks reps sent

 

I always knew how the joint worked but never knew how to rebuild it. Great write up, answered all the questions that I had! Reps your way! Thanks again.

 

i been searching for this and trying to get all kinds of help... THANK YOU!!!!

 

Great write up! Mine is torn apart at my dads shop currently, said I need to replace the flange where the centering ball is. Anyone have a part # for that? Also what is the spicer # for the front u-joint? Same as 5-1350X?

 

bump to the top

 

What are the symptoms when this joint begins to fail?

I have a super loud whining gear noise from 25 mph and above but only when on the accelerator. Sometimes it sounds like its emanating from the front other times from underneath the cab. Its starts at 25 mph and reaches a crescendo at 50 or so until other sounds mask it. Its bloody loud.

Ive been hauling some heavy loads lately and its getting worse....i think i even hear it when off the gas now. But its crazy loud when on the throttle.

Mine in a 4wd but this happens in 2wd with hubs unlocked.

Could this joint be the cause? 197k miles.

 

Well that drive shaft does not move in 2wd. Even though hubs are unlocked I'd reach under and try to turn it, should spin freely. Mine needed replaceing bc it had A LOT of play.

 

Mr. Langpie, seems like i need a basic lesson in truck morphology! I dont even know where the double cardan joint sits. Im new to trucks, quite frankly.

Youre telling me to try and spin then front drive shaft when front hubs are unlocked just to test if that joint is going bad?, but unrelated to my gear whine issue? Yes?

 

this was your front 4x4 driveshaft?

 

Great write up and thanks.
FYI - The dust seal that goes over the CV ball/scoket is a Spicer P/N 2-86-418.

 

My symptom was a rythmic squeaking noise as soon as I would start moving.

I found this write up and pulled the drive shaft out. The centering ball was trashed and I only have 70,000 miles on the truck.

Great write up, it made it easy to do the repair. One note, NAPA U-Joint # 331 is the correct size and has a Zerk fitting. Seemed like the way to go but there isn't enough room on the drive shaft side to clear the Zerk so I had to return it. I bought a Federal/Mogul that didn't have a hole for a Zerk but it included a super short grease fitting that would have cleared. Go figure.

I didn't read the entire thread so I missed the part number for the seal that goes over the ball. NAPA didn't have a part number for it even though they had the ball socket. Mine was in good shape and hopefuly it wasn't a big mistake not replacing it.

Thanks!
Michael

 

Fyi you cant find the rubber dust seal that goes around the ball. I went to home depot and found a
1 1/4" fernco fitting in the plumbing isle. Its made of thicker tougher rubber then the original. All you have to do is cut it to the right height. And it snaps right on over that ball kit.
Also you cant find the neapco ball anymore. But i found moog makes it. Its a precision 617 and O reillys sell it. hope this helps others.