front driveshafts...
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 813
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From: Up Nort Minnesota
front driveshafts...
Ok, I've had around 5 different bump and dent side 4x4 trucks over the years. All of them have had front drive shaft issues, ALL of em!
I've never had a rear drive shaft issue on anything before.
Last night I was under my 77 F250 changing a U-joint on the short shaft between the trans and the transfer case.
I grab the front drive shaft and rotate/wobble checking the U-joint at the transfer case. Those damn splined slip yokes, it was just floppy as hell! Uhhg, it's junk! (like the front shafts on 3 other old trucks I own right now)
So what is it about these front shafts? Why do they go bad and the rear shafts dont?
Is it the female splined yoke portion that wears or is it the splined stub shaft itself? Both?
I've never had a rear drive shaft issue on anything before.
Last night I was under my 77 F250 changing a U-joint on the short shaft between the trans and the transfer case.
I grab the front drive shaft and rotate/wobble checking the U-joint at the transfer case. Those damn splined slip yokes, it was just floppy as hell! Uhhg, it's junk! (like the front shafts on 3 other old trucks I own right now)
So what is it about these front shafts? Why do they go bad and the rear shafts dont?
Is it the female splined yoke portion that wears or is it the splined stub shaft itself? Both?
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
You get what you pay for un U joints. Spicer are expensive but last a lot longer. If you buy a new slip yoke and keep it greased it will last a long, long time. Problem probably was the persons before you didn't keep up on greasing things and once it's worn thats it, no amount of grease will fix a worn slip yoke.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 813
Likes: 6
From: Up Nort Minnesota
So, I wonder if I put a new slip yoke on... I might be able to find a new one. But I don't know if the splined stub and the slip yoke wear evenly or? If just a yoke would fix it I'd do that in a heartbeat. But I'm afraid I'll have to have a machine/welding shop cut the old stub off and weld a new one on with a new yoke, then ballance it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 2
From: Alvarado, TX
I was told several years ago by the owner of a reputable drive shaft shop that what you're describing is a rather common occurrence. He said that it's partly due to the fact that the front shaft just sort of floats there without being under torque. Sorry, I can't remember the rest of the explanation.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
I've got the exact same problem on my truck. It worried me so much that I picked up a spare just in case. My friend said that his did it too and would chatter driving down the road. I figured it's just one of those parts that doesn't last.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,797
Likes: 2,599
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Mine's tight still, it's the one place I've never had to replace U-joints either.
Done the front axle shaft U-joints and done all three in the rear driveshaft twice over the years though.
Done the front axle shaft U-joints and done all three in the rear driveshaft twice over the years though.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 813
Likes: 6
From: Up Nort Minnesota
So, is the slip yoke supposed to be at the t-case end or at the front axle?
I think someone maybe has this drive shaft in backwards too. The yoke is at the t-case end.
I think someone maybe has this drive shaft in backwards too. The yoke is at the t-case end.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 2
From: Alvarado, TX
It should be at the t-case end unless you have a cv joint on it.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: west sacramento ca
i've got the same problem. the trip down the street to our mud hole is about 1/2 a mile so ive never even thought to replace it. mine has been that way for about 5 years. still works. one day i'll get one built. Driveline services here sacramento said they'd build me one for $200. still havent needed it yet. i'll prolly be up to my doors when its had enough.
my .02
my .02
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