Serious question

[302_dude]

Hey, I have a 97 XLT 5.0 All Wheel Drive and my CV joint on my left front tire is messed up and I want better gas milage. So my dad said that he heard his friends say that they used to just take the driveshaft off to make it a rear wheel drive I just want to know if that is possible. I will appreciate it a lot if someone would answer this.

 

[Glacier991]

Yeah you can remove the front driveshaft as you suggest. May or may not eliminate the noise as you still have half shafts attached.

 

[IZwack]

... my CV joint on my left front tire is messed up ... take the driveshaft off to make it a rear wheel drive

Just wanted to make sure that you do remove the front driveshaft and not the CV axle shafts

PS: moving this thread to Under the Hood & Driveline

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

If your CVs are blown, then you need to replace them. These trucks have drive flanges: meaning that the CVs are directly connected to the front wheels. If the wheels are turning, the CVs are turning.

In addition, the outer CV stub shaft holds the drive flange/hub together. If you remove the CV, your tire may fall off at speed! (The caliper bracket *may* hold it on, but I wouldn't risk it!)

CVs are not hard or expensive to replace.

If you do remove your front driveshaft, set your e-brake, as the AWD t-case does not have a positive connection to the rear driveshaft.