What if it Snows?

One thing to check before attempting to do the job yourself, is make sure the yokes aren’t eggholed from u joints moving. If you need new yokes, depending on Which one, you can replace them, but the other end needs to be cut off the drive shaft, and welded on by a shop with drive shaft services. If that’s the case, just pay them to do the whole drive line, usually about $1000. I did my own, spent about $700 replacing everything, including 2 yokes welded on by shop. Had it all done, only needed 1 yoke welded on. About a week later, I noticed a broken a bolt on one of the straps at the rear axle. Had to pull it out again, have the yoke replaced. Then I torqued it properly with a torque wrench. The U joints on the short drive shaft between the 2 axles, hardly ever wear out. Check them too, they should be ok, as long as they’ve been kept greased.

 

I don't know, something smells fishy about that statement.

 

That appears to be the "I'm not speaking to you" look.

I'm waiting for the movie.

 

Today was a PITA. Had a wiper blade fall apart so I bought a new set at a TA. My knees suck, so climbing up on the engine is painful, but I got it done. That was in Spokane. Headed down 97 through Oregon toward Klamath Falls, flip on the headlights and I get a bad bulb warning on my HUD. I have spares so I pulled into a rest stop and replaced it. My knuckles look like I've been in a fight. My skin has gotten so thin, that a simple hit on an unsharp edge opens me up. Years of fishing and not enough sun block ruined my arms and hands.

 

It tained all day on and off today. High only 46. Too cold for me to be crawling around on a piece of cardboard in a gravel lot. Straightened my mudflap brackets yesterday, using a bolts jack, some wood blocks, the ICC bumper, hammer crescent wrench and cheater bar. Tomorrow Ill be back at it.

 

Thank you brother !! Gonna get under there this weekend and see what i can find. No vibrations at all so it may just be beginning to get worn out. Truck just turned 500k miles.. Figured stuff is gonna start breaking left and right now

 

Same here. Worse now, since being put on blood thinners. Tops of hands and forearms are all scarred up.

 

I ran mine a long time that way. The first u joint and yokes right behind the carrier are vulnerable to damage. The yoke on my drive shaft, along with the swivel yoke were both bad. Probably before the carrier started showing play. I replaced that u joint a couple times over 5-6 yrs. Before finally fixing it all properly. At 500k miles. Best to replace the carrier, before doing damage to the yokes, if their still good. Once the u joint gets sloppy, it’s a matter of time till the yokes are shot, if not replaced. The carrier has rubber in it. Probably all you need is a new carrier. The rest should last another 300-500k

 

If you look at the pic? Notice the mud is only coming out the holes and not the hose? Its why I suspect some one used too much radiator sealant.

Thankfully the hose barb can be unbolted. I will make a garden hose fitting to go on a plate. Bolt the plate to the engine and let a hose circulate until the water becomes clear. Yes when the engine was apart I used a screwdriver and stabbed all the freeze plugs to make sure none were thin.

Tho I am really surprised the engine was even able to stay cool.

 

Just spent 3 days in Jo' town (aka San Jose). Temp were up in the '90s. I was very grumpy.

Makes Reno seem nice at 65 just after sundown.

Looks like I need to do one more weekend in the Silly-Con valley to wrap things up.