Dropping the front driveshaft??
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Dropping the front driveshaft??
It has been a rough month for my truck. 2005 F350 Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed with a 6.0L. Just had all eight injectors replaced. Blew a front tire at highway speed and the result was a bent up bumper, a torn off running board and a caved-in front fender. All from that steel belt whipping around.
I have had worn out front axle u-joints for a while. They make a racket. I noticed that the front driveshaft (transfer case to front axle) u-joints are shot as well. I am not using 4WD right now and I'm thinking of dropping the drive shaft from the transfer case to the front axle until I can afford the parts to replace the axle u-joints as well. My thinking is that if the front drive shaft is off, the front u-joints shouldn't be turning with the hubs out and therefore will not make that awful racket. I need to buy a few weeks of time to save up but I also need the truck to work.
Am I missing anything here? Other than no 4WD there shouldn't be any negative affects of dropping that font driveshaft, right??
I have had worn out front axle u-joints for a while. They make a racket. I noticed that the front driveshaft (transfer case to front axle) u-joints are shot as well. I am not using 4WD right now and I'm thinking of dropping the drive shaft from the transfer case to the front axle until I can afford the parts to replace the axle u-joints as well. My thinking is that if the front drive shaft is off, the front u-joints shouldn't be turning with the hubs out and therefore will not make that awful racket. I need to buy a few weeks of time to save up but I also need the truck to work.
Am I missing anything here? Other than no 4WD there shouldn't be any negative affects of dropping that font driveshaft, right??
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From: Derby, ks
nope. as long as your hubs are unlocked and its in 2 high you shouldnt even need to remove the front drive shaft.. it wont turn unless its in 4x4 or the hubs are locked.. but to get ahead on the maintenance then yes that is all you will need to do.. and there wont be any effects from it..
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what a mess...
Well, got that front driveshaft off. Then realized the carrier bearing on the rear drive shaft is COMPLETELY shot. The truck has 270k miles on it. I bought it at 38K and have never touched the u-joints or drive shafts until now (or ball joints, and they are still tight.)
Anyway, I tried like heck and couldn't get anything loose on that rear shaft. Got a few bolts out, but the retaining rings are frozen solid. I think this is going to be a job for a professional...especially since I moved recently and now don't have a garage. Laying in the gravel to remove the front drive shaft really sucked!
Anyway, I tried like heck and couldn't get anything loose on that rear shaft. Got a few bolts out, but the retaining rings are frozen solid. I think this is going to be a job for a professional...especially since I moved recently and now don't have a garage. Laying in the gravel to remove the front drive shaft really sucked!
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From: Derby, ks
pb liquid blaster is your best frinds when it comes to any work done on any vehicle.. spary it and let it set for a while then tackle it. breaks up rust and helps ease fastners out. just my .02... but doing it in the air is much easier then on the ground.. if you have a press then i would try and save the money and lay some card board down and give it a go.. I hate paying shops so i do it all myself..
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From: Isanti, MN
BigOl04 tool you right, unless something is broken your front u-joints never spin unless the truck is locked into 4WD. So if you wanted to stop them from turning you just had to leave it in 2WD!
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They always turn
The front axles are always turning. Not saying that they are supposed to be turning, but they are, even with the hubs out (or in Auto) and the transfer case in 2H.
I had the transmission rebuilt about a year ago (it was bad. Welded forward.) When the transmission shop was putting it back together, they cracked the transfer case and had to "rebuild/replace" the housing. I wondered all along if they didn't screw something up. The auto lock hubs have not worked for a while. I had to do both wheel hubs and when I finally got the damn C-Clip off at midnight, it was too late to get the seals that I didn't realize I needed...so I put it back together with the old ones.
With the hubs out, the transfer case in 2H, I had my wife drive slowly down the driveway and I was able to walk beside it and see the axle u-joints turn and make a racket. Pulled that front drive shaft and now it is quiet.
I had the transmission rebuilt about a year ago (it was bad. Welded forward.) When the transmission shop was putting it back together, they cracked the transfer case and had to "rebuild/replace" the housing. I wondered all along if they didn't screw something up. The auto lock hubs have not worked for a while. I had to do both wheel hubs and when I finally got the damn C-Clip off at midnight, it was too late to get the seals that I didn't realize I needed...so I put it back together with the old ones.
With the hubs out, the transfer case in 2H, I had my wife drive slowly down the driveway and I was able to walk beside it and see the axle u-joints turn and make a racket. Pulled that front drive shaft and now it is quiet.
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From: Isanti, MN
Huh, that is strange. It sounds like they may have screwed something up because the driveshaft should be stationary when you aren't in four wheel drive. I hope their repair is under warranty, they really should fix this.
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