OK, so I heard the nasty clank the other morning on my way to work. Fortunately I had just left the driveway and had little speed. The front u-joint on me REAR drive shaft exploded and dropped the driveshaft. No biggie, I pulled the driveshaft off and drove to work rice burner style, in front wheel drive. Had to do that for a couple of nights (work isn't far).

Anyway, I started the fix tonight. Figured I would change all three u-joints, the two on the transfer case (a knuckle type deal) and the one on the rearend. Getting parts for my F-150, I found that the u-joints on my truck were specific for F-100s of the era. Typical I though since it is a total piecemeal truck from years back. Anyway, for some reason when I tried to put the u-joing between the driveshaft and the front knuckle (see pics in my gallery) it won't go in tight. I can only get a locking spring in on one side.

But the biggest problem is the little two piece connector at the front. There is a little sleeve that fits over a rod on the front of the driveshaft. The seal on the front of that got battered a bit along the way (see pics in gallery). Of course, the needle bearings all fell out too, but I collected most (can't guarantee all) and think I can put them back together. I'm wondering if I have to tweak this seal to make it fit over the little shaft, or if it is something I can get a replacement for.

Sorry for the long post. The gallery is in place.

Thanks for any assistance guys.

 

Hey I would get some emery clothe and clean all the old parts before trying to reasemble. Ok that CV Joint or center joint what ever you want to call it is available for like 150. You could probably find a used shaft for like two hundred try mikes truck salvage a sponsor. Also try BRONCO GRAVE YARD or Greens all sponsors last case hit the LMC catalog they sale it in pieces.

 

Ouch....I have to say I was hoping for a cheaper alternative than that....the drive shaft is fine...it's really just the grease seal in that CV joint that is causing me grief. Other problem is I can't really wait weeks for delivery to get this truck back on the road.

 

are you sure they're the right u-joints...?

What size were the original ones? 1310, 1330, 1330f? I'd measure both the old and the new ones to make sure they're identical.

 

Well you could have the parts in a weeks time if you order asap.

 

OK, problem one solved....I found out why the u-joint wouldn't fit. It turned out my assistant managed to have one of the needles get out of place in the end cap which needless to say bound things up more than a little bit. Of course, I was doing this alone, but it feels better to say it this way. Now to track down those free needles....