AWD Front Drive Shaft

[Zoomn]

I have a 98, V8, with AWD. The CV joint on the front drive shaft sounds like it is failing. Have any of you had this to happen yet? I assume that I can purchase a rebuilt drive shaft from a parts house. How difficult is it to remove and replace the front drive shaft?

 

[mrboyle]

You should be able to get a rebuilt shaft. I know the shafts on front driver cars run between $75 and $100, so yours shouldn't be much more. As far as changing, I do know you need a special tool to remove the front hub. Ohter than that if you feel confident and have a repair manual to walk you through it, it isn't that difficult.

 

[RammaR]

I've got a '96 4x4 with 99K and last month I had to replace the front drive shaft. It continuously would make a high pitched grinding noise with the engine running. Even in 4x2 mode the front driveshaft turns, but does not engage. I would guess your AWD runs all the time too. Anyway, it didn't have any greese fittings to try and lube it, but the replacement one did. The local CarQuest listed it for about $270.00, but my mechanic could get it for $240-ish. So he put it in for about what it would have cost me to do it myself.

Since I drive in 4x2 most of the time it didnt' really need to get fixed immediately, but he said NOT to put it in 4wd with it failing. So if you've got an AWD, I'd try to get it corrected shortly.

Good Luck

 

[axleman2]

You can get a new replacement drive shaft that gets ride of the cv joint and uses u-joints instead. It shouldn't be to much more than a rebuilt one. If you want i can check the price at work tomorrow.

 

[Zoomn]

Thanks Axleman. I would appreciate a price. I have checked with NAPA and Autozone, neither of them lists a rebuilt or new front drive shaft for the AWD.

 

[axleman2]

it runs $250

 

[Zoomn]

Axleman, is this a special order part or is it stocked where you work?

I plan to have a dealer look at it on Friday to make sure that I am correct about the CV joint failure. I'll get back with you after that

Thanks for the help.