Front D/S CV Joint Parts

[gijoecam]

I realize that, according to Ford, the front driveshaft CV joint is not repairable. (Of course, neither are the lower ball joints or inner tie rods, so...) Has anyone ever found a kit or parts to rebuild or replace the CV joint at the t-case end of the front driveshaft? Mine's making a god-awful squeaking and popping noise when it's under load (i.e. driveline is bound-up slightly). It's not making a noise under 'normal' operating conditions, but I'm sure that if it's bad, it's only a matter of time.

Thanks!

 

[dkchrist]

i dont think that you can fix the front driveshaft some have had luck pulling it apart but that doesnt guarantee a fix you would be better converting to a double cardigan or replacing the shaft

 

[IZwack]

you would be better converting to a double cardigan or replacing the shaft

Unfortunately this isnt so easy to do on the 2nd gen because the front output flange of the transfer case is this cup looking thing with 6 bolts .. in other words, not a u-joint yoke.

 

[gijoecam]

you would be better converting to a double cardigan or replacing the shaft

Thanks, but the heat in my Explorer works fine. (Double-Cardigan... get it?)

I know you meant double-cardan. Now that you mention that though, I have a vague recollection of someone making an adapter flange for a standard u-joint flange, and then running a standard double-jointed driveshaft... I've got to do some searching.

Any other suggestions short of replacing a $450 driveshaft on a 10-year-old truck with 142K on the odometer?

-Joe

 

[gijoecam]

BINGO!! Found it....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145663&highlight=front+driveshaft+adapter

Not sure I necessarily want to go with a single joint on each end though... I'm worried about vibrations from it.... I suspect there's a reason they used a CV instead of a plain ol' u-joint there...

I gotta call a driveline shop around here first....

-Joe

 

[IZwack]

Great solution!

 

[gijoecam]

Found a place right around the corner from work:
www.shaftmasters.com (No, it's not a **** site LOL!!)

They'll build me a brand new shaft with a new U-joint and a new CV head joint (direct from Dana) for $225 with a trade-in. (although why they want the trade-in, I dunno?) Sounds like a decent deal, but there's got to be another option. I'm planning on getting the shaft out this weekend while I'm replacing the front end parts, so when I take it to them, I'll see if there might be a cheaper third option.

-Joe

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Found a place right around the corner from work:
www.shaftmasters.com (No, it's not a **** site LOL!!)

They'll build me a brand new shaft with a new U-joint and a new CV head joint (direct from Dana) for $225 with a trade-in. (although why they want the trade-in, I dunno?) Sounds like a decent deal, but there's got to be another option. I'm planning on getting the shaft out this weekend while I'm replacing the front end parts, so when I take it to them, I'll see if there might be a cheaper third option.

-Joe

Because they will rebuild your old one. I doubt for $225 it is a brand new built drive shaft.

 

[gijoecam]

They stated specifically that it was a newly built shaft... I can't imagine it's worth the effort to cut the old CV off and replace it just to salvage a yoke and 24" of driveshaft. I would think that the labor involved in prepping the cut end to accept the new CV would be more than the labor to cut and weld a new shaft and yoke... I'll find out next week for sure.

-Joe

 

[CDW6212R]

Joe, the shaft which Drew had made is the best solution for adapting to the transfer case. I had an adapter made similar to what is in that linked thread above. The adapter cost me $75, a new shaft was $155 or so, but without a double cardon assembly I had a minor low speed vibration.

I'd rather have one like Drew's, the adapter plate and u-joint mount is all one piece. The adapter that I have is hell to install the u-joint into(tight space for bolts around the u-joint).

I paid $50 total for a used CV shaft through eBay 2.5 years ago. The stock shafts are very good, they just are expensive to replace. Good luck,

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Stic-O has a used stock d-shaft in the Parts for sale forum for $50. If no one buys he's throwing it in the trash.

 

[IZwack]

Good catch Dan Whitaker

 

[gijoecam]

Hee-hee... just thought I'd resurrect this one. I've got part of the front shaft out at the moment (can't separate the body of the CV from the t-case flange). I'm still trying to find some parts locally to rebuild it myself, but it's looking like Ebay is the only source at the moment. Everyone else wants to either cut the head off and re-weld it, or sell me a rebuilt shaft assembly. I've got no desire to spend that kind of coin on this dinosaur. I think I'll try the ebay part and see how it goes!