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Author Topic: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's  (Read 35395 times)

Offline Cumminalong

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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.









































Enjoy!

 :up:

Offline BigRiver

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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:

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Offline Cumminalong

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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.

Offline BigRiver

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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.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2009, 03:05:12 am by BigRiver »

Plain Jane Stock (for now)

Offline Cumminalong

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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

Offline BigRiver

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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......


Plain Jane Stock (for now)

Offline Cumminalong

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And here he is......


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

 :whistling:

Offline BigRiver

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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

Plain Jane Stock (for now)

Offline mayfair

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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:

Offline Cumminalong

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No problem, buddy!

 :up:

Offline Buford445

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Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
« Reply #10 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:


Thanks To HTS Transmission

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY
WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL
ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM
FEEL.

Offline FroneDaddy

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Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
« Reply #11 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.

I'm An and I Drive A

Offline Cumminalong

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Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
« Reply #12 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.

Offline Methos

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Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
« Reply #13 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

« Last Edit: September 07, 2011, 06:51:07 pm by Methos »

Offline FroneDaddy

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Re: Front Drive Shaft Removal, Maintenance and Installation - 3rd Gen HD's
« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2011, 03:53:06 am »
Is it supposed to wear and need replacing or did I take it apart wrong?
I'm An and I Drive A

 

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