Front wheel drive????

[Red Rocket]

Simple, I have another bad ujoint in my driveshaft.



I want to simply take it out, to a shop, all while still driving my truck.



Is it ok to drive for a day without the shaft. (obviously 4x4)

 

[Motorhead]

Are you talking about running without the REAR driveline?

 

[rscurtis]

If you have a two piece driveshaft, I don't see why you couldn't remove the rear section, and allow the front half to still rotate in the hanger bearing. However, if you have a single piece shaft, I wouldn't do it, as you are leaving the back of the transfer case open.

 

[Red Rocket]

Yeah, single piece driveshaft, I saw mention of running like this for a week by someone else.



Can't you duct tape the hole shut as a temporary solution?



Thanks,



Nick

 

[rbattelle]

This is an interesting question. One I've considered from time-to-time over the years.

I have come to the conclusion that it would be acceptable to run in front drive only, but you want to be careful about it. That front end is considerably smaller than the rear driveshaft, and really isn't meant to handle full load for long periods of time.

You'll want to go easy on the truck while in front only mode. No jackrabbit starts.

As for taping the hole shut, however, I find it unlikely to work. I guess you could try it, but keep a close eye because if the transfer case pumps its oil out (and yes, there is an oil PUMP in there), you're really doomed.

If it were me I'd look for a rubber or cork plug.

Ryan

 

[BHanna]

I've thought about whether you could do that before too but I think it would best be reserved for an emergency when you need to get out of the middle of nowhere.

 

[TBartlett1]

I wouldn't hesitate to run on the front axle only. I ran back & forth to work 62 miles each way for a week while my rear shaft was being balanced.



The Dana 60f in the older CTD's can handle this even though it has standard cut gears meaning that the front axle is driven on the coast side of the ring & pinion which is a disadvantage when it comes to strength.



The AAM in your 2006 has larger u-joints and I believe reverse cut gears meaning that the gears are driven on the drive side of the gear not the coast side which is stronger.



Also when driving in 4WD you can put more stress on the axle while turning on hard pavement then you can while running on the front axle alone.



Think about the torque on the front axle when you need to back up a steep hill or out of a ditch while loaded, all that torque is going to the front axle & we don't think twice about that.



If needed tape up the tail shaft to prevent oil leakage.







tim

 

[JApol]

I ran for a couple of weeks with no rear shaft on my truck and it may have lead to the failure of my transfer case.

I want to let you know that the rear driveshaft slip joint is splash lubed which means that you are loosing transfer case fluid driving around without the rear drive shaft.

One day driving around in front wheel drive I could not longer accelerate. Also the transfer case would slip instead of moving the steering wheel in tight turns I limped it back to my place, installed the rear drive shaft. That weekend I drained the x-fer case and it looked like Burnt metallic candy apple red. I flushed and reserviced it and it still slipped. The dealship said the transfer case chain was all but destroyed.



I RECOMMEND NOT DOING IT. ORDER THE PARTS AND REPLACE WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

 

[brods]

Did it with a GM truck. Plastic and duct tape and it still leaked. The transmission fluid will dissolve the tape's adhesive. If you must do it then find a cap from a spray can or something similar which will fit tight in the seal to keep the oil in and then use tape to keep the cap from falling out.



X2 on what Ryan said about taking it easy... . Comparing AAM front axle an input rating of 4,647 lb-ft to the rear axle's input rating of 8,334 lb-ft kind of says it all.

 

[Red Rocket]

I was planning on getting something to plug the tailshaft of the t-case. I never got that far, I couldn't get the rear bolts loose. I bailed instantly and took it to a shop for the day today. I'm still frustrated from being without my truck and all my tools. I must have lost two hours looking for things I keep in my truck, I didn't think I needed them.



So I never tried it. Thanks for the input.



Nick

 

[Motorhead]

If I was stuck out in the boondocks with a broken rear driveline, I would use the front then... But only then.