Can 2004 Ranger 4x4 be driven for test with fwd driveshaft removed

[jetsetc5]

I suspect the cv joint at transfer case is bad.I have alot of play and truck rumbles at 55 in all conditions...coast, nuetral, accel and decel. Can I remove fwd drive shaft and drive truck to test? All bearings appear to be ok and drive shaft is true on the rack at 60mph with no wobble. rear tires do seem to have a sight wobble to them, especially the right rear. Please help!!

New tires, new front hub bearing assy, new cv half shafts and new alignment.

I have removed the forward driveshaft and truck is ready for test. Can i drive it? :yahoo:

[Ranger44]

I wouldn't forsee any problems. Go for it.

[jetsetc5]

thanks..I going to test drive it..More to follow

[mhughes165]

ya, no problem driving with no front shaft

[jetsetc5]

just removed fwd drive shaft and problem went away.Boot was torn at cv joint and felt gritty. guess I need a new drive shaft. Ujoint felt ok. Is shaft rebuildable?

[gbadgley]

OK so you have now isolated the problem to the front half. you could replace the joints (I believe they were a standard U joint) but I would also check the Axle joints and make sure the hubs are unlocking properly. If you have one hub hung up engaged that could cause a few problems also.

[naford]

No hubs on 04's. But check the cvj boots for cuts.

[freerider6_9]

He said he replaced the halfshafts...I dont beleive you can et them rebuilt.

Look into superlift, they offer a replacement shaft you have to use when you lift them that gets rid of the useless cv shaft on the driveshaft. They are cheapers than a replacement as well:icon_thumby: