My 94 CTD 5 speed 4 x 4 needs new u joints for the front drive line. I was reading that there are two different part numbers for my truck. The clip on the U joints are either inside or outside?? I want to purchase new U joints tomorrow but need to figure out what type I have????

Dave

 

I havent looked real close at my front shaft in the 95 but I am going to guess that it is set up the same as my 04. The rear section with the double cardivan joint will take 2 Ujoints with the outside clip and the front ujoint has the inside style clip. The inside style are for replacing Ujoints that originally had the nylon injection in them to retain them in the shaft.

 

If you're talking about the front drive shaft, the U-Joints are a CV type joint. There were 2 different lengths of shaft for my truck which might explain the two part #'s. I found replacing the whole shaft was cheaper than buying the parts to rebuild mine. The best price I found was $350CAN out of Ontario, cheaper than anybody local. PM me if you want their #.

 

Berner, your 2 driveshaft lengths are probably due to there being 2 different transfercases available in the truck. Or it could be for the difference in tranny length. I quick look at the advance auto website lists the most expensive joint at $15.99. Granted these arnt the best joints known to man but much cheaper than a shaft replacement.

 

When the tranny shop pulled my front shaft off it pretty much fell apart. The sliding yoke was shot. Believe me, if I could've saved a couple bucks after dumping $4K plus into the tranny I would have.

 

Do have a Napa in your area ? take the shaft out and bring to parts house to match up , u-joints are probubly the most comin thing to be given the wrong parts, what ever you do do not waste time and money on the 16.00 joints , its takes more value in time than the cheap joints are worth, to do a 2nd time , they should cost 35-65 each to be the right ones , then the parts to repaire the pivot for the cv .

 

Look at your u-joints. If the caps are close to flush with the outside of the yoke then you have inside clips. If the caps are not flush, you should be able to see the clip, then outside clip. I think this is a way it goes. Just take notice where the clips are and tell them at the parts store.

 

I've done the front drive shaft u-joints twice on my 96. There a common part at napa.

remove the 4-10 mm bolts that hold the 2 caps on in the front. remove the four bolts from the flange at the transfer case. then the whole shaft will drop out of there.

while your at it, check the big nut on the transfer output shaft flange 1 1/8" socket. mine was loose. also check the nut on the front differential yoke.


good luck!