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Threw my rear driveshaft - tore a bunch of stuff up

nad

nad

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Festus, MO
So I was driving today and the vibration got really bad and suddenly I heard a loud noise and sure enough my u-joints broke at the transfer case.

So I pulled it and drove it home in 4HI. So far I can see that my transfer case is now leaking fluid from the back end, I'm guessing from the gasket that's between the yoke and the t-case. My buddy had this happen once before and the shop told him his yoke was slightly "bent?" and that it would keep happening until he replaced the yoke, which cost him like 1200 for a no-slip yoke.

Anyway, the little bolts that hold the retainers on are all tore up, the shaft hit a weld on the exhaust and broke it off, and the little X shaped things on each end of the driveshaft are all tore up.

Now I've never replaced u-joints or anything like that, so I'm wondering what's involved in fixing this, since I'd like to do it myself. Can I find all the parts I need from a local parts store?

Also, when I removed the rear part of the shaft, this little cap fell off with a bunch of little metal sticks in them, I guess they worked like bearings?

So help me out guys, tell me what kind of repairs I'm in for.
 
The little "sticks" are needle bearings. As far as replacing the u joint, everything you need is available at most any parts store. A pic of the carnage would help because the shaft may have tore up something else besides just your u joint.
 
I'm working on pics. I'm pretty sure I tore up more than that. I was cruising at about 70mph. Scariest thing that's ever happened to me while driving.
 
Also, thought it could've been the fact that I lifted it that messed up the driveline angle so bad that this happened. I've been driving it lifted for over a year now though.
 
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Looks like that U-joint gave it up because of poor maintenance. Those grease zerks on there are your friend use them. If the shaft isn't beat up then looks like you just need some new u-joints. The leak on your T-case there is a seal between the main case and the tailshaft. I think its just RTV sealed. Did you drive home with the slip yoke still in the end of the T-case. If so you are lucky that didnt fall out :crazy: With that out the case will piss all the fluid out the hole.

Pull that tailshaft off and re-seal it.

Replace both U-joints on the rear shaft.

Reinstall and drive
 
Sweet, so it's just that simple eh? I thought I really screwed it up when I saw it leaking. Anything to be careful with when re-sealing the tailshaft? Should I pull the yoke out first?

Also, how should I go about installing that little cap with the needle bearings in it? Just line them all back up and sit it back on the u-joint?

Anyone know of a good write up or book that shows how to change u-joints? By looking at them, I have absolutely no clue.

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.
 
You dont have to worry about putting the needle bearings back in when you buy your new U-joint it comes with the caps already on and everything but you will have to remove one cap for the install and just be careful that the needle bearings dont fall out.
 
I would give your tail housing a good check when my shaft went i had a small crack in my tail housing.
 
you had better have a friend help you out to change the u-joint if after 799 posts u don't know how.
 
quick run down of the tailhousing removal

remove that yoke, not sure how its still there after driving it!

undo the speedo cable and pull out that gear inside the tcase

undo the four bolts bolting it on there

then tap the tailhousing off with a rubber mallet to break the seal

pull it off and inspect it for damage

clean the mating surfaces really well and RTV it up

put it all back together.
 
That slip yoke has some damage on lower ear, and maybe it's the picture, but looks like it's bent. I would change that, just to be safe.

Also, open the hublocks, shift to 4HI, and have a friend to turn front shaft while you look at the rear output to see if it's bent. If it is, end of the shaft will make small circular path.

There's how to change U-joint -> http://www.izook.com/tech/samurai/drivetrain/ujoint/ujoint.htm
 
Well, when I get time I'm gonna check the yoke for damage. I can't tell if it's bent yet or not. I get the concept of changing a u-joint, just never had to do it, and don't know the exact process. I have a Haynes manual, so I should be fine.

Also, with the tailshaft, should I drain the fluid before I just take those bolts off? It looks like tranny fluid, so do I drain it and fill it through the tranny, or the t-case?
 
nad said:
Also, with the tailshaft, should I drain the fluid before I just take those bolts off? It looks like tranny fluid, so do I drain it and fill it through the tranny, or the t-case?
Click to expand...

Yep, you should drain it. Much cleaner to work on it. That's ATF, and there is plug in back of the case where you fill it.
 
Cool, so once I'm done I just fill the t-case with it right? Also, I pull the yoke first, or just leave it in there? Does it matter?

I appreciate you guys helping me out, I'm not a complete noob, but I feel like one. I am when it comes to this stuff. Thank god for CK5 :D Best $25 I ever spent.
 
yeah drain it, tcase and trans are seperate. then when your done fill it till it pours out of the hole.
 
Alright, I got the u-joints in the driveshaft and now I'm looking at how to take the tailshaft off. I can see that it would be easy to remove the speedo cable, but what do you mean take out the gear inside? Will it come out attatched to the cable? Or am I supposed to reach in through that little hole and get it out?

Also, looks like there's some type of hose connected to the top of the t-case. Is this some type of breather hose or what?
 
you had better have a friend help you out to change the u-joint if after 799 posts u don't know how.
Click to expand...

no offense, but he's probably right. this is basic stuff that a knowledgeable friend could probably catch you up on in no time. it looks like your seal went bad on the u-joint and you didn't have any grease in it, so you ended up with tons of friction and plenty of moisture in there. it's only a matter of time once that starts happening. those seals are pretty lame IMO, anyway, and tend to slip or get damaged easily, even on high-dollar joints. keeping them well greased helps. but if you add too much, it won't allow the bearings to turn properly and they'll rub flat on one side, then eventually allow wiggling in the cap and then you get what you had all over again.

if you can angle the front of the vehicle down a lot, you can get away with leaving a lot of the fluid in there. but if you're draining some, you might as well drain as much as you can and start fresh. be sure to keep things clean. you don't want any junk in the t-case or tranny.

best advice: don't drop the soap...or the needle bearings.
 
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