'bout time to dump my K5

[abusedtrucks]

\'bout time to dump my K5

I was driving to the carwash the other day (about 10 miles). First it overheats. My fault, I didn't add enough anti-freeze after I blew my hose. Then I broke the front u-joint on my front driveshaft. I was in two wheel drive with the hubs unlocked. So I pulled over and took it off. I washed it up (after having to rewire the starter solenoid at the carwash since it wouldn't start), drove about two blocks and broke the front u-joint on the rear driveshaft. I couldn't get stopped quick enough so the rear u-joint went and my drive shaft went rolling down the road.

These u-joints had less than 100 miles on them. Maybe 10 minutes of off-road time on them. I figured out that in the past month that I have owned this thing, it has cost me over $5/mile to drive it, not including gas.

My Blazer has a 6" suspension lift and 35" Super Swampers. Any ideas on how to make it not so unreliable? I would like to actually drive this thing. If I can't drive it soon, she's getting traded off, along with my 95 Z71, for a 97 Wranger.

 

[Zeus33rd]

Re: \'bout time to dump my K5

Driveline angles. Something needs to be done about angles. For u-joints to go that quick, theres something wrong there. Did you do anything as far as shims or lowering the t-case when you lifted it?

 

[KPAX-5]

Re: \'bout time to dump my K5

where can I get these shims to drop my transfer case? How much do they lower the TC?

BTW, are you parting out the K5, I am really in a need for a steering column.

 

[Waxer]

Re: \'bout time to dump my K5

You can get these "shims" <--- /forums/images/icons/smile.gif from your local hardware store. We call them washers /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[tRustyK5]

Re: \'bout time to dump my K5

Most guys take the spacers and move them from on top of the frame to under the frame which lowers the T-case about an inch...

Rene

 

[xnoahx]

Re: \'bout time to dump my K5

Seems like they wore out pretty fast, arent there lots of guys on here with 6" lifts that arent blowing out u-jonts all the time? maybe the u-joint wasnt tightend down all the way?

 

[tRustyK5]

Re: \'bout time to dump my K5

I wouldn't ditch a truck over eating U-joints...

6" seems to be the magic number for driveline angle prob's though. You'll have to evaluate the driveline angles and see if they fall into the operating range of the U-joints. Obviously too steep an operating angle and they will grenade in no time. Ideally a CV shaft would be the hot ticket...but you need a fixed rear yoke to run one.

I'd drop the T-case down first and see if that helps any. Also if you have the little u-bolt style retainers do not over tighten them. The U-joint bearing cup will distort and the joint will fail prematurely.

Rene