Drive Shaft/Front Diff/Warn Hubs?

[BlueDogBandit]

OK, I have problems. First of all, I've had that terrible squeaking noise that I couldn't locate. Sounded like front diff. Sounded like a unoiled wheel on a rusty bike. Only did it on acceleration at low speeds. Well, I was also have problems with what I thought was my hubs...no, it wasn't. I got Warn to replace them, even though there was no physical damage (make sure you kep your reciepts.) When the hubs are engaged and 4x4 is on, there is a clunking noise from the front end. Still there after checking the bearings and replacing the hubs. No I'm getting frustrated. I pull the truck in the garage and put the whole truck on jack stands. I put it into 2x4 and into drive, no sound, I step on the brake slightly and the squeaking and creaking shows back up. It was coming from the driveshaft. I inspect it at the rear, and find the grease fitting, grab the gun and lube it, noise still there. So I check the front u-joint....AH HA! Broken. There is a a 3/8 by 3/4" piece out of one of the lobes on the u-joint. Obviously, the truck is going to sit until that is fixed. But heres the question....why did this happen. Right now I have 3 1/2" of suspension lift and 2" of body. I have not adjusted my axle/transfer case angles because I didn't think I had enough lift for that to matter. I never found the front end noise maker, but now I'm starting to think it may be in the drive shaft as well. I have been know to go into to 4x4 at rather high speeds driving in Montana ice/snow. I could see how this would be hard on the u-joints. I am about ready to have my gears swapped out and I'm going with a rear Auburn, no diff change up front. I am also trading my 2 1/2" Rancho for a Superlift 5 1/2". It's starting to look like this project is getting pushed up on the calender. Should I even bother with the driveshafts, or just pull them out and start shopping. Or should I repair them now and have them modified. I think it's time to pull everything off the truck and get the drivetrain set up right. Man, I wish I had the 302 finished, I could just do it all at one time, but I don't want to have the truck down for more than a month. This is frustrating.

 

[Scott B.]

U-joints wear out. How many miles were on them? How often do you grease them?

I replaced my rears at 100K with greaseable (through the cap) Neapco joints, and I grease them every 5000 or so miles. My front joints are original (I'm guessing they have less than 20K miles on them) - but they do make a little noise. I really should replace them.

Shifting into 4WD at speed (assuming your hubs are locked) shouldn't affect the u-joints. They are already turning - all you are doing is changing the direction of the load running through them.

The 2 1/2" lift shouldn't really affect your driveline angles - it hasn't on mine.

BTW - you can push your Rancho lift to 4+" for less than swapping to a SuperLift 5.5".