When to remove the front drive shaft on a Chevy truck?

Removing the front drive shaft on your Chevy truck may be necessary if you need to repair the U-joints or if it is blocking access to another component that you may be working on. The drive shaft connects to the transfer case at one end and the front pinion yoke on the other.

How do you mark a front drive shaft?

Using a paint pen, place a mark on the drive shaft and one on the yoke to ensure you place the shaft back in the same position when reinstalling it. The drive shaft is balanced and if it installed in a different orientation, it may wobble or vibrate, damaging the shaft, U-joints, axle and transfer case. Mark both ends of the shaft.

How is the drive shaft attached to the transfer case?

The drive shaft connects to the transfer case at one end and the front pinion yoke on the other. On some early models, the drive shaft had a flange that bolted to the transfer case but in later model years, the flange became a yoke similar to the one on the axle housing. Raise the front of your Chevy with a jack.

Where is the front drive shaft on a Chevy truck?

Place a set of jack stands under the frame and lower the jack, allowing the truck to rest securely on the jack stands. Locate the front drive shaft under the truck. The drive shaft is a long cylindrical shaft running from the axle housing to the transfer case just behind the engine.

What does a driveshaft do on a rear wheel drive car?

A driveshaft is the cylindrical shaft that transmits torque from the engine to the wheels. They are most commonly found on rear-wheel drive vehicles, and connect the rear of the transmission to the driveshaft. As the output shaft of the transmission rotates it spins the driveshaft,…

What are the symptoms of a bad driveshaft?

1. Intense Vibrations from Underneath the Vehicle One of the first symptoms of a problem with the driveshaft is vibrations coming from underneath the vehicle. If the driveshaft universal joint (U-joint) or bushings wear out, it can cause excessive driveshaft vibration.

When does a cv shaft need to be replaced?

Excessive vibration from failing CV shafts can interfere with handling and ride characteristics, and the overall safety and comfort of the vehicle. Usually the CV axle will need to be replaced if it is damaged enough to cause vibrations. CV axles serve as the final link between the engine and the wheels.

What do you call a half shaft in a car?

It’s a shaft with constant-velocity (CV) joints that transfers the rotating torque to a drive wheel in a car. It might also be called a half shaft or drive shaft.

What kind of joints does a CV axle have?

A CV axle or shaft has two constant-velocity or CV joints: inner and outer. A typical inner CV joint has three rollers on a tripod (spider) that can slide inside the CV joint housing, so the CV axle can extend or contract as needed. Typical CV axle (shaft) of a front wheel drive car with a Rzeppa outer CV joint and closed tripod-style inner joint.

What happens to the front differential in a 4×4?

first off, when the vacuum switch fails, it generally supplies 100% vacuum to the actuator, which pulls the cable. so the front driveshaft ALWAYS turns and well, its like a normal open differential, no harm done.