PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

I could probably do it myself if I had a lift. There's a lot of things I could myself if I had a lift!

 

Yep, still needs ujoints replaced if they are squeaking

 

How long does that take? Whole driveshaft has to come out, right?

 

Im not saying to replace anything.
I’d make sure what the problem is first.
It may not be a bad u-joint. But your symptoms sound like a u-joint.

My driveshaft has weights on it for balance.
Maybe you slung a weight? They aren’t on there all that good.
Just spot weld looking things is all I can tell that holds them on?

There are more things than a u-joint that can cause the problem.
So I’d have Pete take a look. I hate to see you spend money on something that doesn’t fix the issue.

But again, your symptoms + my experience = Educated guess that it’s a u-joint.

 

Yeah, it has to come out.
It’s not a big deal at all.

No need to worry about.
Removing and installing a driveshaft is not much harder than changing a tire.

 

I agree

 

It can be a pain if you dont know what you are doing. But really not difficult

 

My labor guide says

Driveshaft Remove and Replace : .7 hrs
U-joint Remove and Replace: 1.3 hrs

A total of 2 hours labor.
Don’t take this to be definitive, all shops are different.

 

Yeah, it can be.
Especially if you are doing it yourself in the driveway.

 

A little trick I learned is to use ratchet straps to help hold it up.
The stuff you learn doing things by yourself.

 

I guess I should elaborate on the easy part.
The the driveshaft itself is easy to R/R.

The u-joints, not so much.
Big hammer, socket, and some luck helps.

 

A kit like this makes the job a lot easier:



Use it like this:

 

Yes, it does.

But I’m the type of guy that uses the “wrong tool for the right job”.

 

If the u joint is squeaking it is already on the way out.
You got 160K out of the originals, they did their time.

Replacement is a routine job for any shop, the parts are cheap, around $35/each for good quality like Spicer brand.

 

I remember some guy getting killed changing a driveshaft, he put the front of the car on ramps and put it in Park with no handbrake.

 

I grew tired of doing things that way.

 

How long do you think I've got? My mechanic probably won't be able to get me in until next week...

 

I’ve seen bad u-joints go a long time.
I don’t think you have anything to worry about for a week or 2 until he can get you in.

 

One thing you should think about moving forward is how much $ this truck will require in maintenance. It’s getting up there in mileage.

 

I can't afford a new vehicle right now, the entire underside is brand new and was replaced for free at no cost to me, and I just had the head gasket replaced; I really can't think of anything else that could possibly go wrong. Also the tires ae new, the front brakes are new, and thanks to the aforementioned head gasket replacement the truck is running great. That truck needs to last me until at least 2024, and I'd say it's running just fine. It's just gotten to age where things are wearing out...