I'm in the process of replacing the front pinion seal and I have removed the 8mm bolts on the differential end. I read through the write up and it all seems clear...except for disconnecting the drive shaft from the differential end. I'm pretty sure that it should just be compressed. I didn't want to take a pry bar to it just yet till I checked on here. Is it easier to compress it if I have it on stands?

Thanks

 

Any ideas? The drive shaft has a grease fitting around the middle of it...

 

Love to help ya but, I'm not clear on what ur askin...???

 

I think ur askin how to get the front driveshaft U-joint out of the front diff yoke. Is thats the case?

 

Yes that is the case. I re-read what I had posted and was definitely not clear enough sorry. But I'm trying to remove the driveshaft from the yoke on the front differential. Which is held in by 4 8mm bolts with straps...

Just not 100 percent sure on how to remove the drive shaft from the yoke....it seems like I should be able to compress the drive shaft but I'm not sure so I wanted to check here first....

 

Pry bar to pop it loose, between the joint and pinion nut then the slip will collapse to get the joint clear. Tape the joint when you pop it loose from the yoke or else you will most likely drop the cups, unless you're going to change that joint.

Hopefully that was the answer you were looking for.

 

Undo the bolts holding the straps on, put them away safe. Then take a pry bar or other device to pop the universal joint out of the pinion. It is rusted in. try to not let the caps come off.

You can compress the shaft enough to get it out of the pinion yoke. Do not pull on it so far that it pulls apart.

Support the drive shaft so it does not come apart or get damaged. Wrap the u-joint in tape to keep the caps from coming off while you work on the axle.

You may want to take the whole drive shaft out. If you do mark the drive shaft and the yokes on the axle and transfer case so it goes back in the same position. This is especially important of you slide the two parts of the drive shaft apart. If you take it out look hard at the u joints and consider replacing them.

When you get all done grease it all up. While there hit the rest of the front end and the rear drive shaft.

 

Thanks...I'll make sure to tape the cups so they don't fall out...that I was not aware of.

 

It's not that difficult or technical to get it out after you get all the bolts out, you just have to work it a little. The jack or jack stand is so it doesn't fall on your head.