Got the shaft out, I'm gonna take it to my parents tomorrow to use my dads vise.

I hit the u joints with WD-40. I did not see any clips on the outside of u joints though.

 

they are on the inner side. the c clip hold the end caps from being able to slip out.

 

U-joints are fairly inexpensive and while you have it removed already you might as well change the other as preventative maintenance. When I did mine, I backed up the driveway since it is on an incline for me. That keeps most of the fluid away from the end of the tranny when you pull the yoke out. Don't let the caps fall off the new u-joints. Those little needle bearings are a pita to find. LOL A clean work area, big vise, heavy mallet, and sockets to drive out the caps are all you need. Be sure to watch the video too. Also, you want to get HD units with grease fittings so you lube them.

 

I didn't notice any fluid coming out of the tranny when I pulled the yoke, will it seep out of it slowly?

 

The new u joint went in much easier than the old one came out!

 

The rust usually puts up some pretty good resistance. If the truck was level I would check the trans fluid level just to be sure. I have pulled my shaft out and had no spillage of fluid. It just depends on how the truck is sitting.

 

Thanks, it was pretty level. It dripped a little bit, but I'll still check the fluid, good call

 

I guess I was wrong about the problem being the u joint. After I changed the one I never really took the van on any longer drives, well last night I had it on the highway for about 20 minutes and when I got off the highway it started making the same noise again. It seems to make more frequently when I turn one way when compared to the other.

Seems that once it been on the highway a while something gets warm enough to make that noise, but when it's cold it doesn't do it.

 

Sounds more like a hub bearing to me

 

How do I check that? Jack up the rear end and Shake the wheel?