Trouble shooting 4WD from the warmth of my living room.

[fatherdoug]

True, but the closest driveline shop is 130 miles. That also means I've got to pull the old one, and give to them for a match. I don't know how long that will take.

 

[Beach66Bum]

True, but the closest driveline shop is 130 miles. That also means I've got to pull the old one, and give to them for a match. I don't know how long that will take.

hmmm, it will be warm by then

 

[DNFXDLI]

I have to do the same thing with mine Doug. Don't forget, you can just pull the whole thing and operate it with the front driveshaft missing.

 

[Sparky83]

I have to do the same thing with mine Doug. Don't forget, you can just pull the whole thing and operate it with the front driveshaft missing.

yeup.. that you can... and you can do without the rear one too if your 4wd capable... friend broke the ujoint on his rear driveshaft going down the highway.. he got lucky that the yoke slipped out from the tranny when the rear of the shaft smacked into the highway... coasted to a stop along side the road.. he walked back and crossed the now slower moving traffic to pick up his shaft since it was blocking 2 lanes lol. he just tossed it in the bed locked the front hubs. threw it in 4wd and drove it home...

 

[Fellro]

I did that with my 75 when the rear u-joint went out, while pulling a trailer. The transfer case tended to pop out, so I was running it by having one foot holding the transfer case level, and one on the gas/brake... Got me home.

 

[fatherdoug]

I have to do the same thing with mine Doug. Don't forget, you can just pull the whole thing and operate it with the front driveshaft missing.

Yes, but it won't be the same! I heart my 4WD!

 

[DNFXDLI]

I meant for only the time while you get it fixed....if that's what the problem is.

That issue gives more of a vibration, usually worse when you let off the throttle....doesn't normally make noise.

I was just suggesting looking at that while you were investigating as it tends to get overlooked.

Transfer case fluid full?

 

[fatherdoug]

Yes. I'm leaking out the rear output shaft, so I'm checking it weekly. I have to add monthly, but it is a small amount. No vibration.

 

[DNFXDLI]

The fact that it does it when the transfer case in engaged almost points to it being the issue...as already noted, with the hubs locked, you are turning everything that would turn when in 4WD except for it being powered.

Does it do it in both 4HI and 4LO?

 

[fatherdoug]

Haven't tried 4LO yet. I will do that tomorrow. Thanks for the help, Duncan.

 

[m78]

You would think a good drive shaft shop could build a drive shaft from specs and have it ready for pick up when you get there.

Back in the 80's a friend left his 79 at a transmission shop for repairs.
When he went to pick it up , the front drive shaft was gone. They claimed it never came with one. He refused to accept the truck until they replaced the drive shaft.
The truck sat there for a month while they tried to locate a drive shaft, but it eventually disappeared. The shop had to pay him for the whole truck.

 

[fatherdoug]

You would think a good drive shaft shop could build a drive shaft from specs and have it ready for pick up when you get there.

Back in the 80's a friend left his 79 at a transmission shop for repairs.
When he went to pick it up , the front drive shaft was gone. They claimed it never came with one. He refused to accept the truck until they replaced the drive shaft.
The truck sat there for a month while they tried to locate a drive shaft, but it eventually disappeared. The shop had to pay him for the whole truck.

Wow! It's stories like that, that give good businesses bad names. That's too bad.

 

[fatherdoug]

Got up to 22*, so I put on the bibs and crawled under the truck. The front U joint on the front driveshaft(end of the slip joint) is really sloppy, now.

I think I will change that first and see if it tightens up the lateral movement in the slip joint.

I think Duncan's theory about not causing problems until a load is put on the shaft from the transfer case, is correct. I already have both U joints for the front driveshaft, but will wait for warmer weather and not use 4WD.

Thank you all for the help and advice. I do appreciate it!

 

[fatherdoug]

Pulled the whole front driveshaft today. The U joint next to the transfer case was stiff. The U joint was completely dry, and rusty. I couldn't seem to get the right angle to get grease up in the U joint, because of the cross brace that covers the U joint. I had tried several times before.

The slip joint looked really good on both ends. The splines still had the ford blue paint on the contact surfaces, with no sign of wear.

I got the U joint replaced on the slip joint end, but I broke my vice in doing so, so I will have the local auto repair shop press in the U joint on the transfer case end. I should be good to go after I put the drive shaft back in place.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Crappy on the vice Doug....but that frozen joint might have been part of the problem.

 

[fatherdoug]

I also think that was the problem. The vice wasn't exactly "commercial" quality.

 

[DNFXDLI]

That C Frame press that Harbour Freight sells is the same one that NAPA sells at over twice the price...you might want to look at it....very handy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint-service-kit-for-2wd-and-4wd-vehicles-60827.html

 

[fatherdoug]

Thank you very much! I will look into that. My vice was a NAPA "Special".

 

[DNFXDLI]

Thank you very much! I will look into that. My vice was a NAPA "Special".

Doug...I broke a "Record" 6'' vice a few years ago....methinks that quality has perhaps slipped on things.

 

[fatherdoug]

Yes, they are no longer "machine shop" quality. I am willing to admit that I got what I paid for.