Just curious how I would be able to tell if my front or back drive shafts are bad? I greased everything up but didnt notice anything wrong with them.

 

As a lot of these guys will probably tell you, if they don't have grease zerks in the U-Joints, then they are going to be bad and eventually go out. Other than that, I'm sorry, I can't give you any more advice. Mainly because I'm not sure what to look for myself.

 

I was on a 1,200 mile trip from Boulder CO, to Seattle WA.
My drive shaft vibrated so bad at 65 - I drove 60 MPH the whole way back.

In Ogden, UT, after touring Park City I bought a grease gun and greased the drive shafts - front and rear.

Interestingly,
Now I can drive 65 or sometimes 70 and the vibration is still there but a lot lot less.

There are rubber fittings on the drive shaft - rubber disks which should be replaced.
Mine look dry rotted a bit.

I would grease it up if you can.
And drive slowly until the grease works in.

If the drive shaft vibrates a lot - it can come loose and pole vault into the transmission and ruin it.

The front drive shaft is the one to watch.

 

how many points could you grease on your front and rear ujoints? If not 7 in total then you have an original drive shafts

 

Im almost positive its a original drive shaft considering the previous owner did virtually nothing to maintain this truck. Ill have to check though to make sure.

Yeah, the reason I ask is because I do get vibration at 70+ and I read about the shaft breaking free and hitting the tranny. I still have to replace the steering tie rod bar because of the bad ball joints and get a alignment and balancing done to see if the vibration goes away.

 

it your choise what you do first the drive shaft will break and take your tranny for about $4000.00 or the tie rod or ball joint could break and take your life.

I got my driveshaft from dynamic driveshaft in Ark. $295.00. you can rebuild it for $100.00.

 

Is there a kit for the $100 price?

 

Often the U joints will get orange (rust) dust around them when they dry out and they will fail soon afterwards.

 

Man, Im almost certain there were nips on the u joints. I remember grease filling up in that area. Im at work and will have to check tonight.

 

To check it's condition you have remove ot
Then check to make sure there's no play in any of the u-joints. They should move smoothly in all directions.
Read the propshaft rebuild post in the tech section.