Ok to drive with no front driveshaft?

[tpuig]

I've found about 12 pages on the driveshaft topics, but can't really find an answer to this. Maybe somebody can point me to an existing thread or just answer.



I've had a strange squeaking noise and drive line vibration for the last couple weeks. Thought it might be suspension related. Took it around the corner to a local shop and after a bit of investigation, they showed me that my front driveshaft is pretty loose. Lots of play. Got the impression it's not really safe to drive like that, and it's a very noticeable vibration at highway speed.



It's the night before Thanksgiving, and there's no way I'm going to get this fixed in the next couple days. The truck is my only means of transportation.

I've got a couple hundred miles to drive this weekend on the highway.



***My thoughts are to just pull the front drive shaft and then make an appt to get it fixed/replaced next week sometime. Is there anything I should know about driving it without the front shaft? Seems pretty straight forward, but I'd rather ask first. ***



And the last time I had the hubs done it was a major pita, so I'm considering a free spinnning conversion as well. Depends on cost, because I could probably do that later. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[AEdelheit]

If you mean the Drive line from the transfer case to the axle you can pull it and be fine, just dont hit the 4wd while its moving, other then that no issues. If you mean one of the axles then unless you put the stub shaft back in its a big no no, the stub shaft and nut is the only thing that hold the unit bearing together other then the press fit.

 

[tpuig]

Yep, it's the front to back propeller shaft, as the FSM calls it.

 

[JBallou]

Remove it and drive.

 

[RobertHiltz]

Remove it. Very bad things can happen if you lose a front prop shaft at highway speed.

 

[RMcKinney]

Things have changed.

I had a 1974 Blaze that had the constant Volocity joint break. (1978-79)

Would not move unless i had the Transfer case in 4WD.

Did not seem to harm any thing so I drove it a couple of days until i installed a new joint on the old shaft.

RMcKinney

 

[Bob4x4]

Things have changed.

I had a 1974 Blaze that had the constant Volocity joint break. (1978-79)

Would not move unless i had the Transfer case in 4WD.

Did not seem to harm any thing so I drove it a couple of days until i installed a new joint on the old shaft.

RMcKinney

That had a new style MM transfer case. The CTDs have always come with real transfer cases-no so called full time 4x4

 

[Bill Weber]

If you haven't started your trip, pull the propeller shaft and get going. No problem. With free spinning hubs you are driving without the shaft all the time anyway, unless in 4x4. Happy Thanksgiving.

Bill

 

[tpuig]

Cool, thanks for all the replies. I'll be getting under the truck soon to pull it. Maybe I'm over reacting but the thought of that shaft contacting the road at speed is not a pleasant one. There's a great shop not too far from here that specializes in drivelines. I'll hit them next week. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[AEdelheit]

Ohhh, there is locktite on the torx bolts, a propane torch will go along ways in helping you get those out!

 

[MChrist]

So on the 3rd Gen, if you pull the prop shaft, does the transfer case spin when in 2wd?

 

[AEdelheit]

the front output of the transfer case will not spin with no prop shaft, the only thing turning the prop shaft in 2wd is the front axle since it doesnt have unlocking hubs

 

[MChrist]

the front output of the transfer case will not spin with no prop shaft, the only thing turning the prop shaft in 2wd is the front axle since it doesnt have unlocking hubs

So, would there possibly be mpg increase with prop shaft removed, since the transfer case isn't spinning? Theoretically?

 

[AEdelheit]

So, would there possibly be mpg increase with prop shaft removed, since the transfer case isn't spinning? Theoretically?

Doubt it since the front axle and diff is still spinning which I would think has much more resistance then the transfercase but maybe, I guess well find out!

 

[jhenderson]

Theoretically only. The vast majority of drag comes from turning the front diff and axle shafts. 90 wt. is a lot ithicker than ATF.

 

[tpuig]

Thanks everyone, mission accomplished.



The front torx bolts were no problem. A bit snug but came free without a torch. The rears, however, took boths hands and both feet. They definitely had some blue loctite.



Then since the shaft was still firmly in place, I couldn't figure out how to remove it. So I just fired up the truck, wound it up to 2900 rpm and then did a neutral drop. Worked like a charm. And quite a difference with the front shaft gone. Now it handles like a Porsche, gets 46mpg, and runs the quarter mile in 11 seconds.



All kidding aside, that did the trick. The squeak and vibration are gone. Next week I'm off to the local driveline shop.