Driveshaft?

[Stev114]

I need to remove the drive shaft on my 2002 RWD Ranger to get at a leaking seal. I talked to one of my friends about doing this and he siad that i would need a special tool to do so. Is this true?

 

[adsm08]

If he considers a 12 point 12 mm socket a "special tool" then yes. I find them to be quite a common item though. Just mark it so you can put it back in in the same orientation to the rear flange or you will get a bad vibration.

 

[t0x1k]

If he considers a 12 point 12 mm socket a "special tool" then yes. I find them to be quite a common item though. Just mark it so you can put it back in in the same orientation to the rear flange or you will get a bad vibration.

I don't get this mark it. I have never marked it and never had any vibration even at 80 mph. Check my specs too, 80 mph is scary shit.
I never even marked it when I had to separate the slip joint on my 2 piece. Just made sure the u joints were in sync.

 

[superds]

Like adsm08 said, 12 point wrench is what is necessary. You might also add a little heat, such as a small propane torch to the list. Sometimes those four bolts are stubborn because of the loctite that the factory puts on and the years of rust, the heat helps to break it loose.

I've also always marked the driveshaft so I put it on in the same orientation as when I removed it. Although, the last time I removed it, to do a clutch job, I forgot to line up the marks and just slapped it on there. No additional vibration has been noticed but I may have just been lucky and put it on in the same as it was removed...

 

[adsm08]

I don't get this mark it. I have never marked it and never had any vibration even at 80 mph. Check my specs too, 80 mph is scary shit.
I never even marked it when I had to separate the slip joint on my 2 piece. Just made sure the u joints were in sync.

You've gotten lucky. The drive shaft is a balanced assembly yes, but the companion flange and pinion are not. If you get them out of phase it vibrates. I threw my one piece rear shaft in and got lucky. I threw my new front shaft in and got it out of phase. If I get over 45 with the front hubs locked, it vibes so bad the steering wheel looks like it is going to fall off.

 

[Stxrangerbumper]

the same thing for me, I had not mark on . I remove my driveline at least 3 times without making a mark,(juste my drive shaft is a good balance ) even though, I sand and paint a bright color