I have a 1996 f150 xlt and am replacing the rear u joint cant seem to remove the rear drive shaft from the front one. The shaft slides easily but wont come all the way out. Should this slide apart or is there a lock ring or other device holding on the drive shaft? The front of the rear shaft has a grease fitting and a one inch cap with a rubber bushing does this need to be removed?

 

After reading your post, I checked under mine just to make sure I was understanding what you said. Mine is the one piece shaft, from the rear to the trans tailshaft. A rubber sleeve keeps the trans fluid in. Two u-joints. The shaft should slide out of the tailshaft with a good pull, no clips holding it in. Be careful not to scar the splined end with the ground.
I would also suggest that you replace both u-joints while the shaft is out.
Welcome to FTE!

 

Mine has two drive shafts i need to how to disconnect the front from the rear

 

Take a minute to toss in more information on your rig. Mine is a short bed standard cab, with a 1 piece rear shaft. My '75 F-100 was a 2 piece with a carrier bearing supporting it. The more info we have will go a long way in getting you where you need to be. Pictures are always more than welcome...

 

Sorry I'm new at this site and love it already, can't find out how to post a pic but it is a two piece with a carrier bearing

 

I'm just assuming that your truck is 2WD. If so, the front section of the drive shaft assembly is called the coupling shaft. The rear assembly (drive shaft) simply slides into the rear of the coupling shaft. The part that slides into the coupling shaft if called the u-joint slip yoke. It goes onto the front shaft about four inches and can only be reinstalled one-way due to the spline design. What you may be experiencing is the vacuum created by the tight fit of the parts along with the high viscous grease used.

 

Thanks for all your help worked great

 

Thanks, Ed, for jumping in and helping out on this...Sometimes it's difficult to help runnin' blind, and two heads are always better than mine, as they say...
And 765, get a spot on photobucket, and then you can add pics of your rig, or anything you need help on. Hang around here for awhile and you will find out it's a great place to be.

 

Did you get the rear shaft to "just pull out"?? I started taking mine off and felt the resistance you are talking about and have not continued. Sounds like we've got the same truck style.

 

Unless there is absolutely no grease on the splines and corrosion has set in, you should be able to pull the slip yoke off the coupling shaft. Just make sure to support the weight of the driveshaft while pulling reward.

Ed

 

I got it off after 10-12 jerks, thanks for the reply, going to the pick-n-pull tomorrow to get a replacement.