new to 4x4 and need help with front drive shaft

[timcrow00]

im not sure what its called but the part that slides on the front drive shaft loose and rattles when in 4 wheel drive. the u joints are fine and ive tried greasing the sliding part but it just came right out. is this someting i can fix at home if so how

[GCncsuHD]

Is it slip yoke (yoke slides in/out of the transfer case), or a slip shaft/joint where it actually slids inside the shaft?

Is the truck lifted at all? More than likely my guess is you lifted the truck beyond the range of the drive shaft, it doesn't take much, and while it may appear you have plenty of splines in the shaft, it still is loose enough to rattle and possibly come apart when the suspension droops.

Take it to a driveshaft shop, have them measure it, and add the proper amount of length to your drive shaft, problem solved.

[timcrow00]

Originally Posted by GCncsuHD

Is it slip yoke (yoke slides in/out of the transfer case), or a slip shaft/joint where it actually slids inside the shaft?

Is the truck lifted at all? More than likely my guess is you lifted the truck beyond the range of the drive shaft, it doesn't take much, and while it may appear you have plenty of splines in the shaft, it still is loose enough to rattle and possibly come apart when the suspension droops.

Take it to a driveshaft shop, have them measure it, and add the proper amount of length to your drive shaft, problem solved.

i guess it would be a slip shaft and you can grab onto it and shake it back and forth pretty easy and rattles even goin slowly over flat ground

[timcrow00]

also the truck has not been lifted at all

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by timcrow00

also the truck has not been lifted at all

Odd, maybe the Dshaft has been replaced from a model with a shorter shaft, or transmission has been swapped out making the length incorrect.

I am about positive you have a driveshaft length problem, and having a new driveshaft made up, or that one lengthened will correct the problem.

[OrrieG]

Or it is worn and needs a new slip shaft. Relatively common you should be able to pick up a complete front drive line or have it replaced at at driveline shop