What do you look for when inspecting the Front drive shaft on a 98 1500? Double cardan syle. Any one know how that double ujoint set up works?

Mechanic told me I have to replace mine. Will be looking at a used one later this week. So at the moment all I have is a bad one to look at. Out of the truck at the moment.

All 3 U-joints look good and feel tight and smooth.
The ball and cup between the 2 rear U-joints are scored and showing bits of metal around the cup seat. and no Dust/dirt boot. NO sign of any grease around the ball.

OK so assuming that is not what you want to see.
If there is a dust boot between the 2 U-Joints, what do I look for to determine if the cardan joint is still ok on the used Front drive shaft I am going to look at? For $250 at the wreckers, I want some sort of piece of mind.

Can you replace those Ujoints or the Cardan ball thing? No - one here sells that just the u-joints. Do you just clean and re grease it if you replace the U-joints? Has anyone rebuilt the shaft themsleves? If so would you do it again.

Just for ****s and giggles can you remove the ball / cup and drive with out it?

 

Most off-road shops can rebuild those. New joints, ball, and spring. Might wanna call around, and see what you can find.

 

I had a new front driveshaft built for my truck from these folks:

http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/

They did a great job and the price was very reasonable. Driveline shops in my area couldn't touch the pricing and quality.

 

as long as the yokes are not damaged and you have patience and attention to detail, you can buy the rebuild parts, rent the ball joint press, and easily do this.

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech-article-16.html

 

"Dhvaughn" thanks that link is exactly what I was looking for.

 

I just rebuilt mine in my garage a few weeks ago. All 3 ujoints, and ball n spring. Just used a vise, screw drivers and a bfh haha. It was kind of a pain but can be done. Probably only like $50 in parts. didn't buy anything fancy

 

I just did mine. used a couple sockets and bfh to knock them out. that was of course after usin a torch to burn out the nylon crap that did hold them in. replaced them with all new c-clip style joints.

 

Looking at doing the front u-joint only , rears are tight.
How does the slip joint come apart ?

 

Just drop the whole shaft. Its only four bolts.

 

Oh plus the other four on the transfer case