Driveshaft Troubles
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Joined: Nov 2000
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Driveshaft Troubles
My buddy has a 1999 Ranger xlt 4x4 Offroad Package with a 4.0L engine. The other night he was driving home, coasting, heard a loud clunk and a dragging sound. Got out, sure enough his driveshaft dropped like a brick from the rear diff. Front is still attached, looks fine. Rear, don't know if the yoke bolts just snapped or of the yoke itself cracked. I went to a local machine shop here in town and asked what they would do. They said either cut and reweld the original one and rebalance it, or it might need a new one. Told me it could be as little as $100 if it just needs to be rewelded and balanced, or as much as $300 if a new one is needed. Does this sound like a fairly accurate estimate? Also, my friend called me and asked, since the rear is shot, what if he taked the driveshaft off and puts the truck in 4x, so the front is getting power. Can he drive it slow short distances, or would it be too much stress pulling on it, tear up his t-case? I told him don't do it, you'll probably muck things up even more. What's up? Thanks.
Ryan
Ryan
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
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From: SE PA
Driveshaft Troubles
Please bear in mind this comes from one who has a NP205! As long as the rear shaft is removed (has to be a yoke on the 'case so no fluid comes out), one would think no problem drivin' on the front end local\short distances up to 10 or 15 miles, I've done it. I would take it easy though, handling and braking will be different especially in panic situations and the u-joints will have take the power at a severe angle when turning, try very hard to just "trail-throttle" though corners. The prices on the 'shaft sound about right, think I paid a few bucks more to have mine repaired\re-worked for length, re-splined at the slip joint as well as balanced at least 6 or 7 years ago. Sounds like either something got tight in the rear or 'case, was loose at the straps (should see egging in the yoke on the diff), the pinion is loose or just the very rare bad part or piece, barring abuse such as drivin' locked in, in 4wd on hardface roads.
