Dodge Owner Forums

Dodge Trucks => DIY & Self Help => Dodge Ram DIY's => Topic started by: Cumminalong on April 20, 2009, 02:24:11 am

Title: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Cumminalong on April 20, 2009, 02:24:11 am
Below is how to remove, maintain and re-install your front driveshaft on a 3rd Gen Ram HD.

This is a very simple, but often over-looked item that doesn't need much to keep it working correctly.

Off-roading or crossing water that submerges the driveshaft may make the maintenance requirements on the front driveshaft more frequently needed.

Please remember to use jack stands or ramps and wheel chocks when working under your vehicle.

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Enjoy!

 :up:
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: BigRiver on April 20, 2009, 02:45:16 am
Great write up Rich.

On a truck seldom driven in wet conditions, how often would you say that the inner splines should be serviced?

Thanks for your contribution of these write ups. :up:
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Cumminalong on April 20, 2009, 02:53:15 am
Walt,

If the front driveshaft doesn't get submerged, the only time you'd need to brake that apart is if you hear it clunking going between throttle and coast. Then you know the splines are dry.

I only took it apart because I had it out of the truck and figured I do a DIY while I had it out.

As long as the accordion boot is intact, you don't need to worry about it much.
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: BigRiver on April 20, 2009, 02:59:07 am
Gotcha...

If ever I have a wild hair and have the time to go through the d-shafts and suspension, I'll give it the going over.

By the way.....I'm thinking of just printing out all the DIY's (which is mostly yours), and making a DOF CTD Service Manual.
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Cumminalong on April 20, 2009, 03:01:30 am
By the way.....I'm thinking of just printing out all the DIY's (which is mostly yours), and making a DOF CTD Service Manual.

I already have a title for ya then....

"Cummins Turbo Diesel Maintenance and Modification - So Easy, A Complete And Total Moron Can Do It....And We Have Proof!"

 ;D
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: BigRiver on April 20, 2009, 03:08:38 am
By the way.....I'm thinking of just printing out all the DIY's (which is mostly yours), and making a DOF CTD Service Manual.

I already have a title for ya then....

"Cummins Turbo Diesel Maintenance and Modification - So Easy, A Complete And Total Moron Can Do It....And We Have Proof!"

 ;D

And here he is......

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x190/Bigriver07/Ranger2007004a.jpg)
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Cumminalong on April 20, 2009, 03:14:17 am
And here he is......


Just to be clear, I was refering to myself as the complete and total moron........

 :whistling:
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: BigRiver on April 20, 2009, 03:16:41 am
And here he is......


Just to be clear, I was refering to myself as the complete and total moron........

 :whistling:

Oh' I know......just admitting my short comings. ;D
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: mayfair on April 20, 2009, 06:18:22 pm
AWESOME write up Rich !! :punk:

Thank you SOOOO much for doing these !!

Probably the ONLY thing that you MAY want to add to your list of tools above is the special grease fitting needed to grease the u-joints and how that's done

Just a thought ...

Thanks again Rich !! :up:
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Cumminalong on April 20, 2009, 06:29:49 pm
No problem, buddy!

 :up:
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Buford445 on April 21, 2009, 01:05:10 am
I used to do a lot of 4 wheeling when I lived in FLa and the Drive Shafts were ALWAYS neglected
Great Write Up as usual   :up: :up:
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: FroneDaddy on September 07, 2011, 04:25:01 pm
What is the joint that is circled between the u-joints called? I was doing my u-joints and the pins in that middle piece fell out, it was all dried out anyway so I need a new one.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s17/fronedaddy/DS-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Cumminalong on September 07, 2011, 06:42:59 pm
Double cardan joint.

Only place you'll get it is from a driveline shop.

Dodge only has the shaft as an assembly, except the u-joints themselves.
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: Methos on September 07, 2011, 06:48:49 pm
Double cardan joint.

Only place you'll get it is from a driveline shop.

Dodge only has the shaft as an assembly, except the u-joints themselves.

Advance auto lists a double cardan joint as available at least on line.  Looks like most the stores don't stock them at least in this area.


on second glance, looks like it's actually a "repair kit", so not sure if it would fit exactly what you're needing or not

Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: FroneDaddy on September 08, 2011, 03:53:06 am
Is it supposed to wear and need replacing or did I take it apart wrong?
Title: Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
Post by: FroneDaddy on September 09, 2011, 12:25:53 am
Good look Dennis. I picked up the repair kit and that's all I needed. I f'd around for 3 hours trying to get the sleeve on the driveshaft lined up with the ball on the double cardan while putting the u-joint in and I can't get it, I finally gave uup as I was about to start throwing tool. Anybody have any tips?