front axle shafts on '96

[bluethunder]

hey guys....my dad and i are planning to take bluethunder up to uwharrie north carolina soon for some wheelin, and id like to go prepared. so first of all my idea was to post on here and find out what kind of spare parts i might need, then go find a junkyard explorer and see if i can get em. my immediate concerns are the front drive shaft and the front axle shafts...i have a 96 so im dealing with the cv assemblies. i was also wondering if anybody could tell me how hard it is to replace the front cv assemblies and how hard it is to replace either driveshaft. thanks for the help.

 

[bluethunder]

bump

 

[Ray Lobato]

I wouldn't worry so much about the drive shafts as I would the U-joints.
Go pick up some U-joints from the parts store. You stand a better chance on the U-joints going out than breaking a driveshaft. Also get some spare wheel bearings and grease and spare belts. Although I have never, or so far had to replace a brake line, it would be good to have a spare brake line (front and back) just in case. The 95+ models have plenty of length to stretch, and really shouldn't be a problem, but I feel saver having an extra. After seeing 2 or 3 brake lines go out at Truckhaven, all on pre 95's, I went out and bought an extra.

 

[bluethunder]

Ray, what size are the u-joints, and what kinda tools do you need to replace them? i have sockets, hammers, pliers, crowbar.....lots of tools in the explorer, but id like to make sure i have what i need to replace one if it goes.

 

[Ray Lobato]

I wouldn't be able to tell you what size the U-joints are since I had mine replaced with more heavy duty ones when I had to get the driveshafts replaced after putting my Atlas II transfercase. All you need to do is go to a auto shop and they can tell you what size you need. You will need some sockets and open end wrenches to swap them out.

 

[felsmann]

Ray, are you getting any type of driveline vibration on your front shaft?

 

[bluethunder]

is there a way to put in heavier duty u-joints? i would not think so since it seems the yolks are made for a certain size, but if it is possible id be interested in doing that.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Originally posted by felsmann
Ray, are you getting any type of driveline vibration on your front shaft?

Hi Juan,
No I am not getting any vibration on my new front axle shaft. I had to have a new drive shaft made because of the Atlas II and they did a very good job. No vibration problems. It didn't cost me as much as Trailmaster is charging. I think it was around $430.00 for the new front drive shaft.

bluethunder,
I believe you would have to replace the yokes in order to go with more heavy duty U-joints

 

[felsmann]

Hey Ray, thanks for responding. Two questions, how fast have you driven the truck? I ask that because I only start vibrating past 70 MPH.

Do you have a picture of the shaft?

Thanks!!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Juan,
I have taken it over 70MPH and still not had that problem. I don't have a picture of the driveshaft, but I guess I could take one. It might be awhile before I get to it though, so please bare with me.
Missed you at Truckhaven. Was hoping to hook up with you to do some comparing there. Well I guess there's always next year.

 

[felsmann]

Thanks! Yeah, I missed it, clutch problems, but I made it to TDS eventhough my clutch still sucks. It was great because I had regeared the day before and got to test them. I saw Rick, Bill, Tom, Will, Ray, Paul and others. It was a good time.

Thanks