Question for y'all. My drivers front shaft is loose. I was taking it for a ride after I put the new head on and heard a clicking noise. Now this worried me because I thought it was something to do with the engine but when I crawled under to check it out I saw that the u-joint area was rusty looking. I went to see if it would move and it has allot of movement to it. The universal seems very loose and the axle itself moves around in the housing. 1st how hard is it to replace the universal on the front shaft. 2nd is there a reason why its moving in the housing, is there a bearing that holds it in line with the center of the hub or is it the universal that holds everything in place. Last do I have to worry about this thing locking up if I'm driving down the road and is there a way to disable it from turning. I don't think that I will need 4wd for a while and if I can push the repair back a little while that would be great. What else might have gotten damaged with the axle moving around.

Thanks

 

That shaft is only supported by the differential at the inboard end, and the hub at the outboard end. If the u-joint has play, it will feel sloppy. That's not a worry. When the u-joint is that sloppy, it can be hard on the oil seal that seals around the shaft,(inside the differential) so you don't want to leave it like that forever. Those seals are kind of a pain to replace. On a 1st gen truck, simply leave the t/case shifter in 2 high, and leave the hubs unlocked to prevent that shaft from turning, but remember it still has to flex when you steer. If it's binding, it'll affect your steering.

 

torquefan thanks. I do have it 2hi and the hubs are unlocked but I still hear it clicking when I drive. Do the axles turn even when I have everything as stated above. And I just found BC's write up and seems easy enough I am going to do the ujoint but I was concerned about driving it. I would let it sit but I start a new job this week and it conflicts with the wifes schedule and the weather guy said no motorcycle this week.

Thanks

 

With the hubs unlocked and the t-case in 2H, the shafts should not turn. I would make sure the lockouts are free. They tend to hang up sometimes. With them un-locked and in 2H, you should be able to turn the front axles freely. Get Spicer U-joints.
There is a little bearing in the spindle, that the axle rides on. Could be smoked.

 

I've been searching all morning. Who sells Spicer U-Joints.

 

http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_in...ducts_id/15953
Here is one. There are 3 kinds: cast, forged w/zerk and forged w/o zerk.