Guys on my f-150 I cant get the shaft off to replace u-joints. I have the four bolts on the rear flange removed but it wont budge. What is wrong?

 

1st make sure the tires are blocked
2nd get a prybar between the yolk and the u joint and pry it apart, they freeze in quite often

 

Are you talking about on the rear part of the driveshaft? Im not sure how i could fit it in with the flange there

 

yes. you can prob get a 1/2" prybar in there

 

+1 & spray some penetrating oil on the bolts

 

+1

If you didn't use the parking brake, or engaged it while the tranny was in park (or left in gear if manual), the driveshaft may be holding the vehicle in place. To relieve the tension, make sure the tires are blocked securely (so it can't roll either direction), then put the tranny in neutral. The truck may wiggle some, thats normal.

Then use a pry bar, lube, BFH, etc... and it should come off. If using BFH, only tap on the flange or U-joint, don't dent the shaft itself.

 

Ok I think I have confused people. The shaft is only bolted in the rear with four bolts to the rear end. The drive shaft wont come off the rear end though

 

1st make sure the tires are blocked
2nd get a prybar between the yolk and the u joint and pry it apart, they freeze in quite often
__________________

 

Like they said before, block the rear wheels and put the truck in neutral to help get any tension off of the driveshaft. Then get you a hammer (plastic or brass is preferable) and tap on the flange part with moderate force and it should start to move a little till and you should be able to get it to "pop" off. I had to do this when I replaced my u-joints a few months ago. Just be careful not to hit the driveshaft with the hammer.

 

+1 ^ Was typing the same thing, and went back and read Moore's post. Good luck

 

You got me conused. The normal way to pull the shaft is to take off two U bolts, 4 nuts, that hold the Ujoints firmly seated against the yolk. Then pry wiggle beat the shaft back a bit to get the ujoints out of their position so the entire shaft drops down and then slides towards the back. Is this what you are trying to do?

Good Luck Frank

 

not to be rude, but if you cant figure this out you shouldn't work on a truck
Pry here after bolts are removed
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view&current=000_0552.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0552.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
or hit here
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view&current=000_0553.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0553.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

A lot of the 8.8" rear axles that I've seen (my truck included) have the rear u-joint pressed into a flange that then uses four bolts to attach to the pinion flange on the rear differential. What the u-joints press into looks similar to this.

http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/img/...dsSmallBol.jpg

 

Valid point. Still hit where i am pointing w a hammer and the shaft will fall off. Good luck w changing the joints if you are haveing this much trouble getting the shaft out

 

I've got my shaft on my 1980 F-150 to drop down (by prying) but how in the world do I get the front of the shaft to slip out of the center bearing support to remove the shaft? It won't budge.