Rear Drive Shaft Won't Turn - Rear on Jack Stands, In Neutral

[intelisevil]

Help Please!

I'm in process of changing my rear wheel bearings - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214805

1999 5.0 AWD
Front wheels on the ground and chocked
Rear end supported on jack stands
Calipers and rotors removed (I know my parking brake is NOT on)
Trans in Neutral

I've searched this and other sites, I should be able to turn my drive shaft to turn my rear differential as I'm sitting. The most I can turn the drive shaft is less than 1/4 rotation.

My diff cover is already off so I'm not able to do much to reposition my vehicle. I only have one set of jack stands so I can't get my front wheels off the ground. Being in Neutral, the front wheels on the ground shouldn't be a problem unless my transfer case is locked up somehow. There has been no binding as I drive.

I have an 8" long 12 point 12 mm wrench but I can't get enough leverage to break free the four drive shaft bolts. I've even tried the trick of hooking another wrench into the first one to increase the leverage. Not enough room to swing my mini sledge.

I already know my pinion shaft bolt is broken, extractor kit (http://www.fabbriassociates.com/kitinfo.html) arriving tomorrow.

Thanks in Advance,
Dan

 

[jester1023]

You are going to have to find some way to get the front wheels off the ground. Your truck is AWD, not 4WD...meaning, you don't have a way to put it in 2WD. You could disconnect the front driveshaft from either the front diff or the transfer case. This will allow you to rotate the rear driveshaft. Keep in mind, if you disconnect at the front diff, the front driveshaft will still turn while you turn the rear. Everything should be zero balanced, but go ahead and mark the alignment of the parts you disconnect. Hope this helps.

 

[intelisevil]

Jester

I know about AWD vs 4WD vs 2WD. Why would my viscous coupler be locked up in an engine off, 0 torque input condition?

Look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214805. Gavin who did the write up has a 5.0 AWD and he did the job with his front wheels on the ground in neutral, without unbolting his drive shaft.

Dan