Stupid front axle question

[dkishton1486]

Hey guys I have a 94 Ranger 4x4 my front shaft is making a noise the u-joint it shot. I dont need my 4wd and I was wondering if I can just pull the front shaft out and leave it like that?

 

[hilltopfarm]

I don't see why not. To put a new u-joint in would only cost about $8-$14 depending on what brand you got, so why wouldn't you replace it? But to answer your question, I think it should be alright to leave it like that.

 

[adsm08]

Won't hurt a darn thing. There are guys on here that are looking for that particular drive shaft because it is useful for other things. You could probably sell it pretty easy if you really never want to use your 4x4 again.

 

[dkishton1486]

I am moving down south and 1 of the joints are bad and I figure it clunks everytime I brake to a stop. I am moving south so I wont need the 4wd

 

[exbass94]

You shouldn't have to remove the driveshaft. Just unlock the hubs. If the hubs are unlocked, the axle shafts, front diff, and front driveshaft shouldn't spin at all.

 

[hilltopfarm]

I am moving down south and 1 of the joints are bad and I figure it clunks everytime I brake to a stop. I am moving south so I wont need the 4wd

Are you sure that it is the U-Joint?? My 88' clunked when coming to a stop, and it turned out to be the bolts that hold the front differential in place were loose, tightened them up and .... wala no more clunk.

 

[exbass94]

Hilltopfarm brings up a good point: The problem may not be a u-joint at all. If the hubs ARE unlocked and you still have a clunking, then the problem is definitely NOT a u-joint because like I said, it wouldn't be spinning anyway.

Bad radius arm bushings often make a clunk when accelerating or stopping.