Torquing Drive Shaft Bolts

Does anyone know of a tutorial on torquing the drive shaft bolts? I know it sounds like a simple thing to do but was interested in any tips or tricks.

 

Blue Loctite and torque it just like any other nut/bolt.
For the front, you can put it in 4WD and the axle shaft will not rotate.

Anytime you disconnect a drive shaft, always use wheel chocks.
Don’t count on the brakes alone to hold the truck in place.
Use chocks.....always.

 

Sorry, should have mentioned this is the normal maintenance re-torquing of the drive shaft bolts not a shaft replacement.

 

Just completed this joyful task. Sorry no pictures but this is what I found (for those that come after me);

1. Very cramped under there if done on a non-lifted truck without a lift or ramp.
2. The rear drive shaft is not that tough to do. Bolts can be reached pretty easily. You will have to move the truck (rotating the shaft) to get all 8 bolts on the rear shaft.
3. The front shaft is a pain. At the rear of the front shaft, where it enters the transfer case, there is a heat shield that is bolted to a cross member, blocking access to the bolts. This must be removed by unbolting two 12mm bolts that holds it to the cross member. You can reach the shaft flange bolts by using a ratchet extension. You will need to put the truck into 4wd to keep the shaft from turning as you torque the front shaft. There are another 8 bolts on the front drive shaft.

All 16 bolts are 14mm and should be torqued to 65 ft/lbs. You should also check the torque on the carrier bearing bolts which are 12mm set to 27 ft/lbs.