B.Law

Well at 145k on the clock the front driveshaft u-joints need replacing, especially since they have never been serviced. So I grab a set of joints and commence rmoving the shaft when I notice that the torx bolts that attaches the flange are stripped. It looks as if they were done that way from the factory seeing that they are sheared to the right. What a PITA, why couldn't they have used hex bolts, it's not like there is a clearace problem. So now I may try to torch the joint out, then use extractors on the bolts. Anyone else have this problem? This is on all 4, not just one was fouled up. Thanks God they atleast have an awesome motor...

drdigger11

I've had the same problem, especially if you take it off a few times to grease them. The angle of the shaft makes it difficult to get a torx socket in there, just have to slip off of the bolt a couple times and she's done. I keep a couple extra lying around.

B.Law

I didn't have a problem getting the torx socket in there as I ground off the shoulder to have straight contact. But crappy thing is that they were stripped from the factory. I may try putting some hex bolts back in there assuming I get the stockers out. It's just very discerning that it came that way, I wouldn't be that upset if I had fouled it up myself...

boarbuster

Are you replacing all the joints or just the single one????

On my 04 i tried to replace all of them and when you take the double joint apart there is a cv joint compressed between them and i was told that it isn't available. At that point i was VERY HOT so i called 3 different dealerships and 5 diff. auto parts stores. They all wanted to sell me the whole driveshaft and none of them could get the small cv joint that i needed. I tried one from a 2nd gen but it didn't fit. So, i ended up buying a whole driveshaft off ebay for $150. I still have the old driveshaft and the 2 u-joints needed to put it back together but all i need is the little so called cv joint to have it fixed.

So if you find a place to get the little cv joint let me know b/c i need it.

JbD

I just replaced all of my u-joints and the CV ball. I got everything from Napa, let me know if you need a part number.

boarbuster

Could you post the part number for me?

JbD

The 2 u-joints in the CV are part #215-0178.
The one by the Diff. is part #215-3105
The ball kit is part #261-0617

I used the greaseable u-joints, they also have non-greaseables and some other joint that is not a superstrength u-joint, those part numbers I don't know. A full replacement flange for the ball also looks to be available. I first got part numbers off the computer from Napa, and they were not the right u-joints.

After I put my driveshaft back together, I think the zerks on the u-joints may get busted off because of the angle of my front d-shaft from the lift. I have not put it back on yet. On a truck with no lift or a 2" spacer, I'm sure they would be fine. This is just something to consider for anyone else reading this post.

B.Law

What is this? "The ball kit is part #261-0617"

Where is this exactly in a CV? What does it do? I can't remember ever having a CV apart before, so all this is Greek to me...

SolarExpress

I've had success using an allen wrench in place of the Torx driver when the head is stripped. Its just a matter of finding the right sized allen to fit in there.

JbD

It's the ball between the two u-joints. Driveshafts that have the grease cup in the CV.... This is what the grease goes into.