I am going to replace the rear u-joint in the rear drive shaft of my 97 4wd 1500 but I cant figure out how to get the driveshaft out. Somebody posted links to a couple DIY's on a different thread that I started about this, but they all started the writeup with the driveshaft already out. I know you remove the 2 u-bolts at the rear end of the driveshaft to drop that end but on the other end, the driveshaft just connects to the u-joint then to the yoke and the yoke runs straight into the T-case. How do you drop that end of the driveshaft? Does the yoke just slip out of the T-caseor do you have to remove the u-joint? Or what?

 

should just slip right out without a whole lot of effort. I forget if its going to spill fluid though so be careful

 

First take the joint of the back end. Then, it just slips out then take the joint off the front end.

 

on mine its just a few bolts, it will **** on you though..
if you want to do it the fun way, hook your truck up to a tree and floor it....

 

Be carefull I know someone who's husband had the car roll off his ramps when he pull the drive shaft. It's no longer in park, it's like it's in neutral.

 

Always a good idea to chock the wheels. I would block all of the wheels so it can't roll. And make sure the parking brake is on too.

 

i just move a 200 pound piece of limstone from my front part of the driveway behind the truck...

 

put it in 4 wheel drive in part...and set the parking brake and block the wheels.

 

Wrong , of course block the wheel thats common sense . Put it in (N) so there is no binding on the shaft and makes it easier to pull out and put back in..

 

Alright I got it out and replaced the u-joint and after seeing how easy it was to remove it I kinda feel dumb for asking.

Thanks for the info