What is the round ball hollow object on the front drive transfer case shaft?

[93explorereb]

Greetings;

I am trying to figure out what is name of the item that is connected to the end of the frontal drivetrain shaft. It connects to the flange (6 bolts setup) that connects to the transfer case. It also is connected via a rubber boot/clamped to the shaft. However, the inside has lots of grease and large ball bearings. The other end of the shaft is your typical u-joint setup. Would I have to purchase the whole shaft, or is this item sold seperately. It seems to have separated from the shaft, whereas the clamped boot connection/attachment, is torn off. A new shaft is $300.00 plus dollars, and a used one is about $150.00. What say you? Thanks in advance!

1997 explorer AWD 5.0 V8 front diff 3:55 ratio 123,000 original miles

Best Regards

 

[coonerboy]

That is the CV joint end of the drive shaft. It is similar to the CV's on the axle shafts. Yes you would need a new driveshaft. Not sayin they cant be rebuilt, but its a quicker, cleaner, easier job just to swap out the driveshaft. I just sold mine on E-bay for $75. Look around some more. You should be able to find a better price than $150 for a used one.

 

[93explorereb]

That is the CV joint end of the drive shaft. It is similar to the CV's on the axle shafts. Yes you would need a new driveshaft. Not sayin they cant be rebuilt, but its a quicker, cleaner, easier job just to swap out the driveshaft. I just sold mine on E-bay for $75. Look around some more. You should be able to find a better price than $150 for a used one.

Cool! Thanks coonerboy! It was removed because of lots of groaning whining noises. Now I hear very little if any. My rear diff seems to be ok, however, might my transfer case still be making noises despite the shaft disconnect. I am going to change the fluids in there today. Would a bad u-joint depict a groaning whining noise too? Thanks again!

 

[jchopo01]

my front driveshaft came in peices with my Explorer... i put it back together. There is a thread somewhere on here about rebooting it. as long as everything looks good it can be put back together. just make sure you put at much grease as possible in it. the grease will spin to the outside of the carrier and balance... at least in theory. I have not had a problem with mine and it has been three weeks since I did this to mine. There is next to no information on this driveshaft... kinda rare I guess??? but if you have the money I would recommend a new one, but I am a cheap sob.

 

[coonerboy]

Yes, your transfer case can still make a noise. When I first purchased my '98 in may, I had a creaking/ticking noise from underneath that happened at slow speeds especially when taking off from a stop. Ended up being the transfer case. The chain was streched and causing the noise. Dealership sourced a used case from a junkyard and put it in. Since then I have installed a BW 4406 t-case wich offers 2wd as well as 4lo. Luv it!