Replace A Front Drive Shaft

mortyrman · #1 10-18-2010, 12:44 PM

My front driveshaft is shot due to the increased angle of the lift and needs to be replaced (or removed until replaced) but i've never worked with the driveline before. How do I go about removing the front drive shaft of my 09 Ford Ranger. I'd like to replace the shaft ASAP but Superlift's replacements shaft is a bit pricey. Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative? Also, any reviews on Superlift's replacement front driveshaft? I'd like something that'll last a long time with little maintenance.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54964149@N03/5094541548/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54964149@N03/5093941483/

bilko1 · #2 10-18-2010, 01:17 PM

I had a jeep that was lifted 6 in, in the 70s we called that type of failuer LIFT KIT BLUES.
no one tells you about driveline angle resetting when you buy those lift kits. I lost 2 or 3 shafts till I had the angle of the axle housings changed.

mortyrman · #3 10-20-2010, 09:33 PM

I did a little research with this lift kit, so I knew that i'd have to replace the driveshaft BUT Superlift hints that the front driveshaft lasts for about 20k miles, but after speaking with some 4x4 shops in CA, they were REALLY surprised that my front driveshaft has lasted over 10k miles. They told me that typically they have to replace them in less than 3k miles. It still is a bit of a pain.

Fx4wannabe01 · #4 10-20-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mortyrman

I did a little research with this lift kit, so I knew that i'd have to replace the driveshaft BUT Superlift hints that the front driveshaft lasts for about 20k miles, but after speaking with some 4x4 shops in CA, they were REALLY surprised that my front driveshaft has lasted over 10k miles. They told me that typically they have to replace them in less than 3k miles. It still is a bit of a pain.

They could last 50k, they could last 200mi. It's not a matter of if.....it's a matter of when. Puts that rear joint in a bind. Whenever someone is looking into a Superlift, I always suggest carrying the tools with you that remove the shaft at all times just in case that joint goes poop. Mine required a 50mile tow since I didn't have the torx tools with me. But I had all my other tools including the allen sets. My 70k original shaft only lasted maybe 4k after the SL install. Yet a local guy's Superlifted 150k Ranger is still on it's original past 20k after install.

How do you remove it?? Well......sorry. It's not all too hard to figure it out. Look under there and get to wrenchin'! One end has 6 8mm bolt heads. The other end has 4 torx head bolts with straps under 'em holding the shaft to the axle. I don't recall the size at the moment but I want to say T25 to T30. I highly suggest replacing those with allen head cap screws. I've had those torx bits break off in the screw about 3 times on different trucks.

Alternative to the SL shaft?? Build your own. I built mine brand spankin' new for under 300. Start with a junkyard shaft and that price would be cut down to maybe 200 tops including shortening & balancing, the adapter, and new joints. I'd post a link, but the other Ranger Forums links are blocked.

The SL shaft is basically what Ford used to have in the front of the older trucks(97 and older). But has an adaptor that mates the stupid ass CV bucket design on the tcase to the way more typical and common U-joint flange.

mortyrman · #5 10-23-2010, 11:38 AM

Thanks for the reply - I saw that it looked pretty straightforward to remove, but I guess I really wanted to know if it would need to be capped or something until I can replace the driveshaft and if there would be any fluids or anything that I should look out for while removing it.

I'll probably start looking for a replacement shaft pretty soon - hopefully there's a junk yard somewhere close by where I can find the parts.