1988 ranger front drive shaft removal??

[1988Rangerxlt]

so i broke a front universal joint on my front drive shaft can i just pull it out? and how do i go about doing this?? and if i cant take it off so i can drive it whats a safe way tro keep it out of the way its the u-joint that connects to the front axle and driveshaft thanks in advance

 

[squidget]

so i broke a front universal joint on my front drive shaft can i just pull it out? and how do i go about doing this?? and if i cant take it off so i can drive it whats a safe way tro keep it out of the way its the u-joint that connects to the front axle and driveshaft thanks in advance

Yeah... I'm bumping this because I'm in the exact same predicament.

Any advice would be appreciated!

~Tom

 

[adsm08]

Which u-joint did you break?

The front joint just unbolts. If the bolts are stripped I've had good luck cutting the straps. Replacements are readily available (Neapco brand) and are under $25 for a set.

If you have the STX version you probably have the double cardan joint that unbolts at the t-case. A non-STX would just pull out.

 

[2813josh]

lol Wow,this is old. I'm fairly certain you'd be fine just pulling it out. I mean I've driven my BII without one, fluid shouldn't come out of the t-case like it would out of a transmission.

 

[adsm08]

Fluid won't come out, the slip-joint is solid inside.

 

[squidget]

Which u-joint did you break?

The front joint just unbolts. If the bolts are stripped I've had good luck cutting the straps. Replacements are readily available (Neapco brand) and are under $25 for a set.

If you have the STX version you probably have the double cardan joint that unbolts at the t-case. A non-STX would just pull out.

I broke the u-joint at the differential. I was thinking of just pulling the drive line out and 2 wheelin' it for a little while, but I wont have the $$$ until Wednesday and back to the truck until Saturday. Hence, the idea of pulling the drive shaft.

adsm - I have the STX model, but recently have had problems getting the right parts. I'm starting to think I may have an improperly badged truck.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, just pull the shaft out.

Also, where is the rubber boot on your driveshaft? Is it at the front or the rear.

 

[squidget]

Yeah, just pull the shaft out.

Also, where is the rubber boot on your driveshaft? Is it at the front or the rear.

The boot is on the backside of the driveshaft at the t-case.

 

[adsm08]

That sounds like the normal version.

You should be able to just give her a good yank and have the shaft pop out.

Then again, the one that is in my BII right now got so rusted up inside that I was able to drag/carry the transfer case around by the driveshaft for a while.