UJoint Replacement

[THISISWEIRD]

I feel like an idiot for asking this question, but here goes.

I need to replace my ujoint and I know it's much easier to do it with the drive shaft out of the vehicle, but I can't figure out how to do that. The joint at the TC doesn't have straps to release the driveshaft...it appears to be pressed into both sides of the yoke at the TC. If I pull the driveshaft out of the TC (241), won't it leak fluid?

Furthermore, everytime I've replaced a joint, it has the retainer clips on the side opposite the straps (down at the rear end) . Mine doesn't have the retainer clip....looks to be pressed on. Do I just not use retainer clips when I replace the joint?

 

[BizeeB65]

search is your friend.

I think the 241 is a slip yoke t-case, so you will need to remove the straps at the axle end of the DS, then slide the yoke out of the t-case. To prevent mass fluid loss, jack up the rear of the truck and put some stands under the axle to tip the whole driveline forward.

D-shaft u joints either have outer or inner clips. if you can't see the clips, they are prolly inner c-clips..

Outter Clips -

Inner clips -

Good u-joint replacement article.
http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/U_joint/repair.htm

Oh, and use the search... this has been covered a bunch.

 

[dyeager535]

They are held in with nylon. You'll see (unless covered in crud) "nubs" sticking out the sides of the yoke even with the caps.

Get a propane torch, and hold it on the area with the nub. The nylon will squirt out like those 4th of july snakes when it gets hot enough. Keep heating it until it stops. Then repeat for the other side.

You don't HAVE to do this, but it makes removing the joint 100 times easier. Just did the 3 on my front driveshaft. None had metal clips.

Any extra resistance to removing the joint adds to the likelihod that you will compress the yoke, which screws it up obviously.