I always have the shift in neutral and no parking brake when I lift the rear end... I just chock the front two wheels. Whether I'm working the tires, brakes or not... actually, I don't even use it all come to think of it... I had a car fall off a set of jack stands because I trusted Park and the E-brake. I ALWAYS chock the opposites. (I've got of set of metal wheel chocks... the same kind fire departments use to chock fire trucks. That's how paranoid I am... lol)

 

I'm the same way, Dad has a set or metal ramps he made out of heavy angle iron. I need to make myself some, those things weight about 100lbs each. But they wont move, I use them when ever I can, I don't trust jacks nor jack stands. If I dont use them, there is a low spot in my yard I pull across to get underneath.

Now I use Jack stands if I'm just doing the brakes or something, if it falls I can get out of the way.

 

Sounds pretty heavy duty...

Yeah, I am VERY careful when I'm working around cars/trucks... three of the most important things I've learned was:

1. Never leave a crawler out... not only I can take a nastly slide on it, but so can others.
2. Never get under a vehicle without checking the supporting points twice.
3. Never try to be Mr. Cool and do things without common sense. (Most important.)

I'm not one of these idiots...

 

Ok... I decided to start working on it today, and I got the 4 bolts off of the rear flange... but the drive shaft does NOT budge!

Could it be that it is rusted on?!

I was reading the service manual on it, and it seems VERY straight forward as any dummy that has arms and legs can do it.

Am I missing something?! Do I pull towards the front? Do I pull down?!

Heck, I used my floor jack and I actually lifted up the truck with NO bolts on the drive shaft! I've hit it with hammers, I've tried sticking screw drivers in between the halves... I can't get it.

 

Holy crap!!!!
I've never had that happen....

It should just fall off in your hands! I've actually been hit the head by them falling before I get a good hold on it.

I... dont.. know.............

Mmmmmmmm

maybe add some heat??????

 

That explains alot.

 

Ehh, happens to anyone who can work with thier hands...

Pfft, as if that was the worst......

 

I was doing some thinking... is it because I've got the truck on jack stands and it is putting pressure on the driveshaft because of the articulation?

I've read everyplace, and even called a friend who is a mechanic, and he said that this is a VERY strange case... because it should just come right off with no issue.

I can tell that it has NEVER been removed because the U-Joints are originals... but that pesky shaft should come right off.

Currently, I've sprayed about a 1/2 of can of PB Blaster on it, and tapped it a few times with a hammer... I'm gonna let it sit till tomorrow night when I can get another shot at it.

But I mean it hasn't budged since I removed the 4 bolts on the flange... even with all the hitting I've done... it is in the EXACT same position as when I took the bolts off... it hasn't even moved 1/2 mm.

 

You can try jacking the rear axle up, but I really doubt that is it, but it could be. Stranger things have happened. I'd hope for tha tbut expect to have another plan of attack.

I was thinking about this too, you can heat them up with a torch but likely going to melt your front seal on the rear diff. That would be a small PIA.and mean a new seal, and new thrust bushing.... Not unfixable, and not expensive, but not an easy project either unless you are familiar with rear ends. it's atleast a 5 on the 1-10 dificulty meter.

 

Well... my last resort is heating it up.

I'll throw the tires back on and take it off the jack stands and see what that does... my luck the weight shift will break it free... I hope.

 

Why are the tires off?


Yea I was just thinking, set it down, and maybe even.... put it in gear, push in the clutch let it roll a foot or so, then let the cluth out and see if teh shock breaks it loos. As long as the key is off, then it won't start.

 

I took them off to get the right amount of light in to see what I'm working on... but I can put them back on and take it off the jack stands.




I'm at work now, and I checked it out this morning and I sprayed it with more PB Blaster and gave it a few more taps with a mini-sledge... but no go.

Good idea...

I was thinking of that last night... just take the truck off the jack stands and give it a good push and pop the clutch... the twist and jolt should hopefully pop it off. I might take off from work early, as it is a heck of a day to work on it.

I sure hope that does the trick.

 

Get out the BFH.

 

Let me know how it goes.
I wont be back until later tonight though.

Good luck!

 

Just take a screwdriver or chisel and tap it between the flanges to seperate it. If you use heat you'll probably end up with a bigger problem than what you started with. If you get the BFH after it just make sure you don't put a dent in the driveshaft.