Broken front U joint

[TPasquali]

While driving toward Lake Mead on a dirt road I encountered some sand and a moderate slope so stopped and put it into four wheel low range and continued on. Half way up this gentle slope I heard some crazy banging under the truck and found the front drive shaft broken off at the U joint with the wire bundle wrapped around it. I got a ride to the nearest Auto Zone and got a set of star wrenches and a 1/2 in drive handle and just barley got the screws out before I rounded out the cheep star tool and banged up my nuckles. I was then able to drive back in to Vegas.



I have owned several 4x4s and have never seen this happen even with u joints than were lose and falling apart. The break was at the joint housing that attatches to the transfer case. The metal at the break showed large crystles like bad metal but I'm not sure.



Im out of warantee so am wondering if anybody can recommend a good shop for this and some wiring work as the wires on the bundle are skinned up and the fuel gage isnt working now.

 

[JWadford]

i had sly drivelines build my drive shafts in elko nevada, he used the largest cv joint that would fit my truck, it also has extreme angles and u-joints for eqipment, they are greasable through the end of the caps, i can leave from a dead stop and spin all fours on dirt without a failure, however i wouldnt try it on pavement with big tires. i was breaking the stockers just off an idle in extreme situations.

 

[MMeier]

While driving toward Lake Mead on a dirt road I encountered some sand and a moderate slope so stopped and put it into four wheel low range and continued on. Half way up this gentle slope I heard some crazy banging under the truck and found the front drive shaft broken off at the U joint with the wire bundle wrapped around it. I got a ride to the nearest Auto Zone and got a set of star wrenches and a 1/2 in drive handle and just barley got the screws out before I rounded out the cheep star tool and banged up my nuckles. I was then able to drive back in to Vegas.



I have owned several 4x4s and have never seen this happen even with u joints than were lose and falling apart. The break was at the joint housing that attatches to the transfer case. The metal at the break showed large crystles like bad metal but I'm not sure.



Im out of warantee so am wondering if anybody can recommend a good shop for this and some wiring work as the wires on the bundle are skinned up and the fuel gage isnt working now.

If you're here in Vegas, give Adams Driveshaft a shout in the morning. Not sure if he will do anything with the wiring or not, but you can ask. They are in Henderson by Sunset and Boulder. Tell them Mark sent 'ya ! Adam's Driveshaft-(702) 568-5680