This is not another how do you do it question, but I was driving down the road today and I noticed a popping sound coming from the front pass side of the truck. When I got home I jacked up the pass front and checked the obvious by trying to move the tire to see if anything was loose and it was all tight, so I started spinning the wheel and I found that the U-Joint was sloppy. Probably 1/4 to 1/2 inch of turn play by hand. My question is is the truck still drivable like that or should I not drive it until that is fixed? I know I shouldnt use the 4x4 to put to much pressure on it but what about just normal street driving? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

You can still drive it, just fix it as soon as you can.

 

I plan on fixing it this weekend. I was just making sure before I got it out and drove it 60 miles round trip to work tomorrow and friday. Thanks for your fast response.

 

+1..... Just to add, you are taking a big risk of damaging the seal if it isn't already. Replacing the joint is a lot easier than replacing the seal.

 

I was just wondering if it was drivable. I am planning on driving my Dakota until I have time to fix it. I have a lot to do to it this weekend. Im also replacing the liquid line and accumulator on the AC and probably a few other parts since im takin the front end apart. Im gonna keep replacing parts on this truck and im gonna have a new truck. lol

 

I drove with mine bad for a long time. I began hearing a clicking noise when I drove down town next to buildings. I couldn't hear it at any other time. I took it to a mechanic one time who evidently couldn't hear it and couldn't find anything wrong with it. So I probably drove it another year or so after that. At that time it wasn't my daily driver and was driven on my days off from work.
Finally the clicking noise turned into an occasional popping sound. Took it back to them who then discovered it was the front axle u-joints. They replaced them and the noises stopped. After he showed me what was left of the front u-joints I had him go ahead and do the rest to play it safe. BTW I hardly ever used the 4X4, if at all, during that time.
I guess I was really lucky because some weekends I drove it on a few long fishing trips, pulling a boat, with it like that.

 

Had a cap bust and fly off of mine when it went out.