How do you remove the axle to lube the slip joint? I see the the 8mm bolts at the rear diff and in front of the slip joint, with these removed how does the axle come off?

 

Do you mean driveline (driveshaft) instead of axle?

Let us know.

 

Oops, I mean driveshaft

 

There are 2 ways to remove the driveline at the yoke. After removing the rubber boot:
(1) Remove the bolts at the rear diff and pull out the shaft
or
(2) at the carrier beaing and just move it laterally until it separates.



Grease the slip yoke, bolt it back up, and re-install the boot with a stay-tie or similar clamp and you're good to go.

 

Get teflon grease. GM dealers sell a special grease to cure this problem on Chebbies. Not sure if Ford has a similar product.

 

Ford has a special grease also! One word of caution,make sure you put the e-brake on!
we had someone do this awhile ago and the truck almost ran him over after pulling the drive shaft!
Rich

 

When you say bolts at the rear diff are you refering to the 8mm bolts or the bolts that look like ten point or something. If the ten point(if thats what their called) where do you get a tool to fit them?

 

Hey Rich,

I'm suprised anyone remembers that!!! I still get cold feet when it comes to getting under the truck after that incident.. My 5 year old daughter still comes up to me sometimes and says "Daddy, remember when I was outside playing, and your truck ran over you?!!!"

Still sends shivers down my spine...

Bryan

 

Hi Bryan, we have all made some _______ mistakes! I'm included in them too!!!!!!!!
Like droping a screw down the intake of a 460 while running. or starting the truck with the timing light cord in the way of the fan blades! ouch!
So safety has been one of my pet pieve's as we try to help each other around the country.
Good to hear from you !

Rich

 

Mill..remove the 4 8mm bolts the secure the drive shaft to the u joint at the carrier. I used jack stands to secure the drive shaft becuase once you swing it away at the carrier you'll need something to support it.

 

Thanks for the help. The "clunk" is gone - wow is that better!!!

 

Good news. Thanks for the feedback.

Did you install the grease fittings?

 

Kinda interesting that I came here to ask about how to find where the "slop" is in a driveline, and this thread was on top. I read about the clunk and was wondering if I have the same prob. I can feel the slop when I stop and go. My first thought is the rear differential gear wear. Is there a way to narrow it down to where it is at?

If I jack up the rear end, put it in drive, and try to move the driveshaft or wheels, will that tell me anything? Thanks.

 

One good way to check is to chock all the wheels, put the tranny in neutral and see how much backlash you have on the pinion and ring gear in the diff. You should have some, but not much. If you can't actually feel the "slop", then more than likely it's your slip joint.

What year model and how many miles?

ON EDIT: Your sig says '99 model - it needs the slip joint grease I would think.

 

Well, in neutral, I can get quite a bit of movement. I would guess a half inch of rotation in the drive shaft. Is that excessive? As far as the slip joint goes are you talking right behind the carrier bearing? Between the two shafts is a pretty tight fit, not much slop at all.