Being hearing a soft-rotating-rumbling noise coming from the undercarriage as well as occasional clunk noises when shifting to/from P to N & R; after a while I had the transmission mounts replaced and most of the noise went away, although not all of it, I was hoping it was bad tires and the pavement. But this weekend I drove for nearly 150 miles, going down to Key Largo and back, and less than a half a mile from home -right after I got off I-75 and onto a local road- I heard a loud clunk noise which I thought was a blown tire, when actually the truck stopped at a red light, it just did not want to move and realized it was something more than just a blown tire. Tires were OK and when I knelled down saw the front drive shaft pointing in angle downward, it had broken off before the transfer case; and also notice quite a big spill on the ground, since it was dark didn't figure out what it was, might it had been from the transfer case?... tow truck was quick to come, hooked it up and parked it in front of the house... Repair shop won't be able to receive it until tomorrow, so I got under it to inspect the damages which you will see in pics attached... but being a DIY-er and with the help pf this forum, I've trying to do whatever I can to fix my own truck -I only try to bring it to the shop for major repairs- I see a some nuts that seems fairly easy to access and free the driveshaft, would you recommend the attempt, or just wait for my shop to asses the damages? am I looking just to replace the driveshaft? or might there be some hidden damages after where it broke off or before? ...your feedback will be very much appreciated, can't stay put waiting for the green light from my shop to bring it in... please see the pics attached, thanks y'all! ;-]#

 

Changing the driveshaft is easy, the spill if your problem. It looks like one of your photos is showing a smal hole in the trans.

I have seen whole pieces get taken out of the trans case at the edge where the pan meets the case. A guy I know just Jb welded the piece in place, then used a knife sharpening stone to make sure the mating surface between case and pan was flush.

Find the source of the leak and attempt to seal with Jb weld.

 

X2^^ drive shaft is a 10min job to replace, i suggest a tom woods hd drive shaft as a replacement. The leak should be your main pri.

 

Thanks for the quick response guys! ...and yes, from what I saw it did seem that changing the driveshaft would be a walk in the park, but just wanted to make sure it was just a matter of loosing up those bolts, remove, swap and tighten up... as per the spill, it did seem that quite an amount was spilled last night, yet again it was dark and me in a bit of a "shock & awe" with this happening in less than half a mile from home, more so after having driven for approximately 150 miles... felt like Jules & Vincent in #PulpFiction talking about #DivineIntervention ...truth be told, that pan has been moist for as long as I've own this truck; since my truck does seem to have a "good" oil leak up front, thought this was some of that oil being pushed back by "aerodynamics", go figure! ...but the real thing is that there was a pretty good spillage, and if you are able to point out where you think you see that hole, I'll g back down-under to double check! ...thanks again! ;-]#

 

You can try cleaning underneath really good (belly pan) and put oil in the engine and see if if you can see where its leaking from. depending on the size of the hole it might not leak at all because the oil isn't hot enough. But i think its worth a shot just don't run it it with no oil that's not gonna end well.

 

Check the transmission fluid level before you do anything.

If it is empty then you probably need a new sump cover at minimum.

Remove the transmission sump and check for further damage (assuming empty.)

While you are down there, make sure all of the bolts on the oil pan are tight. That is a common leak that provides a free undercoating to your truck.

Good luck!

 

Looking at those pictures your drive shaft has been on it last legs for a long time.
128K+ Have you ever checked that drive shaft?

Water from the air conditioning drain?
From the pictures it doesn't look like you took out the trans.

 

I'm hoping it was, cuz I drove by the place it broke down and didn't see a hint of spillage, and it hasn't rained like to wash anything away, so it could be water... but definitely there was some leakage prior to this cuz is moist, pretty much to be just engine oil being blown back...

I was wondering if from the pics of the damage you guys could tell me what am I looking to have to buy, besides the front driveshaft...

 

From what I can make of the pictures, you got really lucky! It looks like the transmission took a slight beating, but not bad enough to create an "inspection portal"..just a few battle scars. I would definitely check transmission fluid level, top off as necessary, throw a new SERVICEABLE driveshaft on, and go from there.

 

So, you can't blame the truck and call it a lemon, when a lot of maintenance on your part could have prevented this and other expenses.