Can't remove drive shaft
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
+1
If you didn't use the parking brake, or engaged it while the tranny was in park (or left in gear if manual), the driveshaft may be holding the vehicle in place. To relieve the tension, make sure the tires are blocked securely (so it can't roll either direction), then put the tranny in neutral. The truck may wiggle some, thats normal.
Then use a pry bar, lube, BFH, etc... and it should come off. If using BFH, only tap on the flange or U-joint, don't dent the shaft itself.
If you didn't use the parking brake, or engaged it while the tranny was in park (or left in gear if manual), the driveshaft may be holding the vehicle in place. To relieve the tension, make sure the tires are blocked securely (so it can't roll either direction), then put the tranny in neutral. The truck may wiggle some, thats normal.
Then use a pry bar, lube, BFH, etc... and it should come off. If using BFH, only tap on the flange or U-joint, don't dent the shaft itself.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 199
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Ok I think I have confused people. The shaft is only bolted in the rear with four bolts to the rear end. The drive shaft wont come off the rear end though
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
1st make sure the tires are blocked
2nd get a prybar between the yolk and the u joint and pry it apart, they freeze in quite often
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2nd get a prybar between the yolk and the u joint and pry it apart, they freeze in quite often
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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Like they said before, block the rear wheels and put the truck in neutral to help get any tension off of the driveshaft. Then get you a hammer (plastic or brass is preferable) and tap on the flange part with moderate force and it should start to move a little till and you should be able to get it to "pop" off. I had to do this when I replaced my u-joints a few months ago. Just be careful not to hit the driveshaft with the hammer.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 834
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You got me conused. The normal way to pull the shaft is to take off two U bolts, 4 nuts, that hold the Ujoints firmly seated against the yolk. Then pry wiggle beat the shaft back a bit to get the ujoints out of their position so the entire shaft drops down and then slides towards the back. Is this what you are trying to do?
Good Luck Frank
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
not to be rude, but if you cant figure this out you shouldn't work on a truck
Pry here after bolts are removed
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0552.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0552.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
or hit here
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0553.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0553.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Pry here after bolts are removed
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0552.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0552.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
or hit here
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0553.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0553.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 1
A lot of the 8.8" rear axles that I've seen (my truck included) have the rear u-joint pressed into a flange that then uses four bolts to attach to the pinion flange on the rear differential. What the u-joints press into looks similar to this.
http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/img/...dsSmallBol.jpg
http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/img/...dsSmallBol.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Goose Bay, Labrador,CA
I've got my shaft on my 1980 F-150 to drop down (by prying) but how in the world do I get the front of the shaft to slip out of the center bearing support to remove the shaft? It won't budge.