Drive Shaft
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Virginia Beach
Drive Shaft
I am new to the truck world and have recently picked up a 86 F150 ext cab 2wd and have a problem that is very annoying. When i am driving along at speeds of 20 to 45-50 mph and i let off the gas pedal there is a very loud and violent klunk or jerk. I have made a post on the transmission fourm and have received some good advice but my question here is about the two piece drive shaft, is that required on the truck or can a newer one piece drive shaft be put on the truck thus eliminating some the slip joint and a universal joint? sorry if it is a stupid question.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Memphis, TN 38135, USA, Earth
Sorry, but it's a stupid question. 
Ford didn't put anything extra on there - if it's there, you need it. Trying to redesign the truck is what gets a lot of people into a lot of unnecessary trouble, so don't. If you maintain it, it'll be VERY reliable, safe, & cheap to own. Find the problem, fix the problem, & then keep it from coming back.
Check all the u-joints. If any are loose, or have a fine red powder coming out of their seals, replace them with Spicer sealed (NON-greasable) joints, & pre-pack them with good grease (hi-temp EP) before installation.
Check the slip joint. If it's loose, find a driveline shop that will weld in a new one & balance it.
Check the pinion nut on the rear axle. If it's loose, take it to a shop that will reset the pinion preload & install a NEW nut with red threadlocker. Specs are in the 8.8" Axle album in my signature link.
Immediately after a drive, pull the fill plug from the rear diff & try to get a sample of the oil off the ring gear. If it has any glitter or blackness in it, pull the back cover off & inspect the gear teeth. If they're damaged, start shopping for a good used axle with your ratio. You should be able to find one for $100-400 in good condition, and you can use any '80-96 1/2-ton Ford truck axle.
Ford didn't put anything extra on there - if it's there, you need it. Trying to redesign the truck is what gets a lot of people into a lot of unnecessary trouble, so don't. If you maintain it, it'll be VERY reliable, safe, & cheap to own. Find the problem, fix the problem, & then keep it from coming back.Check all the u-joints. If any are loose, or have a fine red powder coming out of their seals, replace them with Spicer sealed (NON-greasable) joints, & pre-pack them with good grease (hi-temp EP) before installation.
Check the slip joint. If it's loose, find a driveline shop that will weld in a new one & balance it.
Check the pinion nut on the rear axle. If it's loose, take it to a shop that will reset the pinion preload & install a NEW nut with red threadlocker. Specs are in the 8.8" Axle album in my signature link.
Immediately after a drive, pull the fill plug from the rear diff & try to get a sample of the oil off the ring gear. If it has any glitter or blackness in it, pull the back cover off & inspect the gear teeth. If they're damaged, start shopping for a good used axle with your ratio. You should be able to find one for $100-400 in good condition, and you can use any '80-96 1/2-ton Ford truck axle.
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From: the moral high ground
Originally Posted by sailor_man44
...my question here is about the two piece drive shaft, is that required on the truck or can a newer one piece drive shaft be put on...
The only one piece shaft I know of is the regcab shortbox.
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From: Virginia Beach
Steve
Thanks for the good advice and possible solutions to try. Bear with me for I have yet another question. I have heard a few people talk about the TV cable and I have checked the condition of the one on my truck and it seems to be in great shape, does it occasionally need adjusted? Someone at a parts store told me it was automatic but mine does not look like he was explaining at all. Thanks again for your knowledge.
Thanks for the good advice and possible solutions to try. Bear with me for I have yet another question. I have heard a few people talk about the TV cable and I have checked the condition of the one on my truck and it seems to be in great shape, does it occasionally need adjusted? Someone at a parts store told me it was automatic but mine does not look like he was explaining at all. Thanks again for your knowledge.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,495
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN 38135, USA, Earth
The TV cable is CRITICAL, but it's only used on the AOD transmission, so make sure that's what you have before doing anything more about it.
Haynes describes how to adjust it, and you can also find a few writeups on FSB. But before that, I'd pick up the bushing kit from Ford so you'll know it's right. It's cheap & easy to install.
Haynes describes how to adjust it, and you can also find a few writeups on FSB. But before that, I'd pick up the bushing kit from Ford so you'll know it's right. It's cheap & easy to install.