Front drive shaft CV joint reassembly.

[Randy960]

Anyone have any tips on how to re-assemble the cv joint in a front driveshaft? I took it apart to take out my transfer case (which I now gather was a bad idea), and I'm having a hard time getting it back in. Any ideas?

 

[jds535]

Hi,
I just replaced my tranny and did the same thing as a " maintenance " idea. Now I can't get it together in a way that works. When I put it together, it slides together nice, but then will not slide or flex in any direction. Did you ever get an answer on this? My stupid Ford dealer repair manual is worthless. ........I should have bought a Chiltons.

 

[Randy960]

Neither chiltons, nor haynes mention it at all. Is the little cup part of it still in the transfer case? because that has to come out. As far as I can tell, you have to add the balls from the back to reassemble it. But I ended up buying a used shaft on ebay since mine was very rusty anyway, they're like 50 bucks.

 

[jds535]

Had to have my truck going for a trip so after trying to put my shaft back together for another 2 hours I bought another driveshaft too.
Got stuck on my trip, tried 4WD and it didn't work anyway. Gotta love it.

This is the first Ranger I have ever had and I gaurantee it will be my last. It is a 98 and I have put about $2800 into it in parts and it still wants more. Seems like every moving part is either going or gone.

I am not going to give up on the driveshaft though. If I ever get it back together I will post the instructions because I cannot find any ANYWHERE.