Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Front Drive Shaft cv joint question

[Dbonzi]

On the front drive shaft, back by the transfer case, there is 2 universal joints in one unit. (I call it the constant velocity joint)

Anyways, between these two universal joints is a ball type joint, where there is one large ball and a socket that it fits in. My question is there any way to grease this ball joint?

When I have the truck in 4wd and just idling I can hear it squeaking. I raised the front of the truck up and in 2wd the drive shaft will spin free, I can hear it squeak. There isn't excessive play in the joint so I don't want to replace the whole thing.

I hope this is understandable.





Dennis Bolduan

 

[Berrigan]

my 3500 does not have a lub zerk there but older Dodge trucks did. If yours has a zerk its small and hard to see. You will need a needle extension for you grease gun.



Rotate the cv joint and look real carefull at all 4 openings between the crosses of the u joints and check both sides. I had one in an 83 Dodge and didnt see it till 5 years after i buoght the truck.

 

[Dbonzi]

Thanks for the reply

I look again but I don't think there is any thing there to put grease in



Dennis

 

[wcjp]

My 96' has no provision for lubing the CV or the front ujoint. My front ujoint was bad. While out I had the shop rehab the CV also. I debated going with zerk fittings or not. In the end I went without. The truck went 150,000 miles without zerk fittings. Why not another 150,000. Besides, I have enough maintenance with my Jeep. I'll be reinstalling the front driveshaft today as it just came back from rebuild.

 

[Dbonzi]

wcjp, what did they charge you to rebuild your drive shaft.

I have 160000 miles on mine as well, but the front drive shaft doesn't turn 95% of the time on my truck.

Thanks for the reply

Dennis

 

[wcjp]

I had to pay next day air for some part. Total was $200.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

wcjp: You sent out your shaft and it was completely rebuilt for $200? That seems like a decent price... .



I took my front shaft out on Saturday to find that I had a bad u-joint on the double-cardan (that's the 'CV' joint... ). I took it apart to realize that the little ball and socket setup could use some attention.



Matt

 

[856.9]

I have the same setup, and had to have the driveshaft redone.

180, for an all new setup, cause I had it lengthened also. Mine has a fitting, but I couldn't figure out how a needler would fit in the fitting, so I stabbed the boot on the joint and filled it with grease that way.



The guy told me to grease it every oil change. I figured that's a bit extreame but about every 10k. I use 4x a lot, and run it up to 100mph. Maybe that's what killed the first one.