1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Front Driveline Issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-03-2014, 11:06 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
honobiahunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SE Oklahoma
Posts: 176
Received 48 Likes on 27 Posts
Front Driveline Issues

I'm working on my '91 W250 w/ the NP 205 t-case and have ran into problems. The u-joints I ordered do not fit (too wide) because u don't have room to snap the clips into place on the inside of the yoke. You can get one side in but not have room for the other. The Spicer #s I used was 5-789x (front) and 5-795x (rear). I crossed these numbers over to the following Precision #s 315G (front) and 534G (rear) and they don't fit. Any help or info is appreciated.
Old 09-04-2014, 10:29 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
cougar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: alaska
Posts: 3,245
Received 454 Likes on 344 Posts
You have a single rear u-joint and not a double cardan?
Old 09-05-2014, 10:53 AM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
honobiahunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SE Oklahoma
Posts: 176
Received 48 Likes on 27 Posts
No. I DO have the cardan joint. I guess I didn't explain that good enough. There is supposed to be 2 of the 534G u-joints to use on the cardan joint and the other u-joint is for the front. So, yes I have 3 u-joints in the front driveline.
Old 09-05-2014, 02:01 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
BILTIT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lloydminster SK/AB
Posts: 2,202
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
And all three dont fit??
Old 09-05-2014, 04:29 PM
  #5  
Administrator
 
maybe368's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 5,255
Received 565 Likes on 414 Posts
Originally Posted by honobiahunter
No. I DO have the cardan joint. I guess I didn't explain that good enough. There is supposed to be 2 of the 534G u-joints to use on the cardan joint and the other u-joint is for the front. So, yes I have 3 u-joints in the front driveline.
There is also a spring kit that you need for the double cardan joint, rockauto has it...Mark
Old 09-06-2014, 12:28 AM
  #6  
Registered User
 
MrFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA near Harrisburg
Posts: 1,296
Received 308 Likes on 234 Posts
I'm also rebuilding my front drive shaft. The axle end u-joint should be a spicer 7260/ Precision 317. The double Cardan joint should be Precision 534G.
Is there a possibility that you have an after market replacement shaft on your truck?
Is the second grove close to being in the right place but not quite there or is it way off?
I've had them be real freakin' close but not quite there before and had to tap the retainer clip in with a punch and hammer. I had a jeep axle that I had a heck of a time getting the ujoint out of. When I put the new joint in there wasn't space for the retainer clip on one side. Turns out that, between beating on it with a hammer and vice and too much application of the heat wrench I bent the axle ear. Figured it out by measuring the space between ears on the axle and the stub shaft. Axle ears were like a 16th of an inch closer. OOPS!! Luck I had a few more sitting around.
Old 09-06-2014, 12:31 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
MrFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA near Harrisburg
Posts: 1,296
Received 308 Likes on 234 Posts
Oh... almost forgot. I had a needle bearing drop between the cap and the end of the cross once that caused the retainer clip groove to not line up properly. You might want to check that too.
Old 09-08-2014, 01:17 PM
  #8  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
honobiahunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SE Oklahoma
Posts: 176
Received 48 Likes on 27 Posts
We figured it out. Turns out the mechanic didn't want to mess up any ujoints he thought didn't fit. He had just eyeballed the joints and hadn't tried to make them fit. We got them in there and they are the right ones. Either 315G or 317 for front and 534G for the rear.

Thanks
Old 09-08-2014, 01:53 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
rrgrassi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Wow. Time to find another mechanic. Or, DIY like you just did.
Old 09-09-2014, 05:45 AM
  #10  
Registered User
 
MARF75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MrFusion
Oh... almost forgot. I had a needle bearing drop between the cap and the end of the cross once that caused the retainer clip groove to not line up properly. You might want to check that too.
I've had both of these experiences as well.
I beat the ear back some to vet the clip in and ran it.
When I got the needle stuck under the cap I was using a ball joint press and I actually cracked the cap! Costly mistake but I learned something.
Old 09-09-2014, 07:59 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
mknittle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 4,918
Received 601 Likes on 438 Posts
Originally Posted by honobiahunter
We figured it out. Turns out the mechanic didn't want to mess up any ujoints he thought didn't fit. He had just eyeballed the joints and hadn't tried to make them fit. We got them in there and they are the right ones. Either 315G or 317 for front and 534G for the rear.

Thanks
Was this DO'LESS & SEEMORE automotive?
Old 09-09-2014, 11:38 AM
  #12  
Registered User
 
MrFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA near Harrisburg
Posts: 1,296
Received 308 Likes on 234 Posts
Originally Posted by mknittle
was this do'less & seemore automotive?
lol!
Old 09-09-2014, 11:55 AM
  #13  
Registered User
 
rrgrassi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I thought it was Dolittle & Seymor Auto. Right next door to the Dewey, Cheatem & Howe Law firm.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mscraper
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
9
11-23-2010 10:09 PM
tool
HELP!
1
08-17-2006 04:23 PM
danl
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
4
10-11-2005 05:59 PM
97RAM
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
10
07-01-2004 12:08 PM
10secBu
3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007
6
03-15-2004 09:19 PM



Quick Reply: Front Driveline Issues



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:24 PM.