Hey everyone,

I shredded my front U joint today, the one closest to the transfer case. Luckily I was going about 1 MPH in a parking lot and heard it coming apart, so I was able to immediately park it before the driveshaft started slinging holes in the tranny and exhaust.

Anyways, I've read up on this issue a good bit and was wondering if anyone had some final advice before I pull the trigger on replacement parts. I have an '04 Disco 2 on a 3" lift with 33" tires.

Here are the questions I have:

- Should I replace only the busted U joint, or go ahead and get a new driveshaft all together?
- Where should I get the parts? I'm a little low on funds at the moment, but I don't mind spending some coin if that's what needs to happen. I'm not opposed to doing the initial replacement with a less expensive part for now and going back in 6-12 months to replace with the higher end joints/shafts from Luck8, Tom Woods, or British Parts of Utah
- Bonus question: Does anyone know if Disco Mike is still active / know how to contact him? I have enjoyed reading his threads and replies, and would love to ask him a few questions if possible.

Thanks everyone!



My beautifully shredded U Joint (front driveshaft closest to transfer case). Luckily this happened at approx. 1 MPH and not 60, or I'd be in a lot of trouble.

 

Looks like there is a chunk missing out of the yoke I would call the guys at www.lucky8llc.com and get a new one coming

 

Ebay for 125.00 with zerk fittings or Lucky8 for 200.00 with zerk fittings.

 

Good points I didn't even think about that chunk missing.

Also, I've been told I can drive it without the front shaft with no issue, as long as I lock the CDL. Is this true?

 

That is true

 

Did you have any indications that your driveshaft was on it's way out? Any funny noises or vibrations?

 

Yea I knew something was up. There was a clicking noise and slight vibration when I was driving. Every time I put it into gear there was a loud clunk as well.

After doing research on the thread I narrowed it down to wither the tranny/transfer case/diffs/ or driveshaft as the most likely culprit. I decided to change all of the gear fluids first to see if that helped.

Before I could do that, I got a message from my apartment telling me I was overflowing their hallways with packages, so I decided to drive very slowly up to the leasing office to pick them up. When I was reversing out of the parking spot I heard something groaning and tearing. Thats when the U joint busted.

 

While I'm doing this work on the driveshaft I figured I might as well inspect the front diff. Any advice on how to do that or what to look for?

 

Not much without a tear down. But if you need to do the fluid anyway get a tea strainer, put in the bottom of the funnel you use to catch the fluid. Then check for metal fragments in the strainer and on the drain plug. No fragments you are likely ok, these are open diffs and do not take the same strains as lockers.

But use good gear oil to fill it backup cheap is not a good idea.

 

Thanks Richard. I bought some 85W/140 gear oil to change the front / back diffs and the transfer case fluid with. I'll grab some coffee filters when I drain the fluid and see what I find.