front u-joint broken

[dodger22]

A friend of mine has an '08 and is stranded with a broken u-joint on the front axle and wants to know if he can drive it like that to the dealership about 50 miles away if he doesn't use 4x4. I told him I didn't think he should but if he could remove the drive shaft and just use 2wd he should be okay.



Can someone confirm this or offer some other solution?



Thanks,



Richard

 

[Hercules130]

removing the driveshaft wont do anything, assuming it is a wheel joint.

 

[dodger22]

Hercules130 - I have only had my truck 2 weeks and have not been underneath to take a look at it. But my thinking is between the front wheel hub and the diff there is a drive shaft and 2 universal joints. So if you were to remove the drive shaft and u/j's that would prevent any further damage wouldn't it?



Maybe you can expand on your previous post.



Thanks,



Richard

 

[Gonzo 1066]

The front axle and drive shaft on ALL 2003 to current Dodge or RAM trucks turn whenever the truck is moving, front driveshaft connected or not. There is NO disconnect in the system.

 

[Hercules130]

If your wheels are turning then your axle shafts and drive shaft are going to be turning along with your ujoints. Unless u have a manual hub conversion.

 

[dodger22]

Thanks guys for your replies. It finally stopped raining so I could take a look underneath and see what you were talking about. I had assumed that the front axle was IFS but now see that it is solid. Pardon my dumb questiion!



Thanks,



Richard

 

[Cosmo]

So was it the driveshaft u-joint, or side axle u-joint? If driveshaft, then drop it and drive it. If it's an axle joint, I wouldn't drive it.

A lot of people don't seem to know they're supposed to lube the front shaft joint, but there should be a sticker on the core support saying as much.

 

[dodger22]

Cosmo - from his description it is the u/j at the wheel that failed. I agree about lubing them and I think I saw it covered in the owner's manual, I'll have to check again. The previous owner of my truck had the hubs and bearings replaced at 57,000 miles, there was no mention of the u/j's on the work order so I hope mine are ok!



Richard

 

[Bob4x4]

If he is still under the basic warranty they will pay a tow to the nearest dealer for a covered repair