A couple of weeks ago I purchased a 2002 f350 xlt 4x4. It was a ranch truck and pretty dirty. Has 260,000. on the clock. Anyway, been going through it changing fluids and filters. The previous owner told me that when in 4x4 it made a clicking noise but still worked. I didn't worry to much about because I have plans to put some lockers in the future. But when changing the transfer case fluid I put in 4x4 to warm up the oil in T-case and went from clicking to grinding real fast. Inspecting the drive shaft it had a lot of play especially at the Carden joint. I have removed and replaced u-joints before but these looked pretty rusted and locked in. So I took the shaft to a reputable place and dropped it off. They would call me after a while with a price. Let me tell you, I was shocked when they told me it would be $740.00 to fix the shaft. I told them to forget it and that I would pick up and fix my self. At the counter I asked the guy what was it that would make repairing my shaft cost $740. he showed me that the slip yoke had some slight play and that it should not have any play at all. When I grabbed and tried to twist it, it moved less than a hair hardly noticeable. What do you think? Do I need a new shaft because of the play in the slip yoke. I don't think so. I'm going to remove the u joints which will be tough with out a press and replace and reinstall and call it good. If it was the back shaft I would be more concerned with getting it balanced and making sure everything was good. But for front drive shaft that gets very little use I don't think balancing is a must. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Also advice on removing u joints would be great.

Thanks
Gilbert

A few comments,

1. Balancing the drive shaft is not costly, maybe $25 of a driveshafts cost

2. Yes the slip yoke splines wear out and need to be replaced when they do, off the top of my head .012 lateral play is the max allowed.

3. $750 ? Wtf ...I thought you said it was a reputable shop ? A new motorcraft front driveshaft is only $300


https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...RpZXNlbA%3D%3D

https://www.amazon.com/Ford-5C3Z-4A376-FA-OEM-Part/dp/B01FUUWYVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536694134&sr=8-1&keywords=5C3Z-4A376-FA

https://www.amazon.com/Ford-5C3Z-4A376-FA-OEM-Part/dp/B01FUUWYVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536694134&sr=8-1&keywords=5C3Z-4A376-FA

Talked to my local drive line shop and they quoted me $100 for three u joints and new double cardan ball if the pin is in good shape not sure what “the pin” is.
l can’t buy the parts for $100. That includes labor.
shawn

The pin and ball is the magic that makes a C.V. useable.... it’s a $20 part.

Gentleman,

I totally understand that I might need a new shaft when it's all said and done, my desire to know and understand, and being cheap got the best of me. So when I got home last night me and my son got the hammer and a punch and started to swing. Got all the u joints out fairly easy. Not smooth as butter easy but not very hard. The main problem that saw was the ball at the center of the carden joint. I hope it's all replaceable please let me know what u think. Napa says that they have a kit with all I need. We'll see.

Using a hammer to remove the joints isnt going to do harm ( as long as you don’t smack and ding the yokes )

but installing new joints you should use a C-clamp or press of some sort.... hammering them together is pretty caveman tactics reserved for roadside emergencies.

been a caveman most of my life.

​​​​​​​Im sure ur right. We'll see what happens. Thanks for your help.

l have survived almost 50 years on brute force and plain ignorance. So your not alone.
​​​​​​​shawn

Refined caveman tactics can get the job done, a C clamp just makes it a easier task.