drive shaft dropped

[TJ_IN_AK]

I have a '94 4-runner.

I lost the u-joint that goes to the rear diff.

Pulled off the road and the drive shaft was laying on the ground under me.

How hard is this to fix. I understand I need to put a new u-joint on. Found a how to article on the net for u-joints not specific to 4-runners. Are they all pretty much the same?

With the drive shaft off is this a problem I can fix or does it need to go to a mechanic shop?

Also, I was in someone drive way and not knowing any better I tried to move after the drive shaft dropped. Next thing I know I have radiator fluid all over the ground.

Please advise on what I need to do to get my family car running again.

Thank you very much!!

TJ

 

[magnumfan]

I have a '94 4-runner.

I lost the u-joint that goes to the rear diff.

Pulled off the road and the drive shaft was laying on the ground under me.

How hard is this to fix. I understand I need to put a new u-joint on. Found a how to article on the net for u-joints not specific to 4-runners. Are they all pretty much the same?

With the drive shaft off is this a problem I can fix or does it need to go to a mechanic shop?

Also, I was in someone drive way and not knowing any better I tried to move after the drive shaft dropped. Next thing I know I have radiator fluid all over the ground.

Please advise on what I need to do to get my family car running again.

Thank you very much!!

TJ

Hi JT

not hard to fix at all. You just need to buy a pair of universal joints for the model of car you have, most auto shops would carry those parts. You probably just broke one of the U bolts that holds the whole thing together. If you T4R is 4WD (and I am pretty sure it is, you can still drive it (but I wouldn drive far) by putting it in 4WD Hi - meaning you are now only driving on your Front Wheels. So your T4R is now a Front wheel drive only. When you install the new Universal joints (one at the front at the rear of the Yoke) and one at the rear differential, I think at most you will have to deal with 8 nuts, onto the 4 U bolts (2 nuts per U bolt). Its really quite simple.

the guys at the auto parts shop could explain it much better face to face with you

Good luck

Joe

 

[magnumfan]

I have a '94 4-runner.

I lost the u-joint that goes to the rear diff.

Pulled off the road and the drive shaft was laying on the ground under me.

How hard is this to fix. I understand I need to put a new u-joint on. Found a how to article on the net for u-joints not specific to 4-runners. Are they all pretty much the same?

With the drive shaft off is this a problem I can fix or does it need to go to a mechanic shop?

Also, I was in someone drive way and not knowing any better I tried to move after the drive shaft dropped. Next thing I know I have radiator fluid all over the ground.

Please advise on what I need to do to get my family car running again.

Thank you very much!!

TJ

Hi TJ just re read your post. Yes that would be transfer case oil, not radiator fluid - assuming it came out of the same hole the Yoke came out of. You might want to go back to who evers home that was and appolgize (or not) that oil will not come out of their concrete. Woops! Its stained for good I suspect.

joe

 

[fourwd1]

If there was fluid on the ground after the DS dropped out, it wasn't radiator fluid (unless it was at the front of the vehicle, and than 2 bad things happened at the same time).

More than likely it was from the tranny, thick brown gear oil for a a manual or red for an auto. Either way it would pretty much have to be 2WD, which would be a slip joint output for the DS.

A 4WD would have an output flange for the DS, and therefore no leakage.

Either way, replacing the U-joint is a DYI if you have some sockets, a vice, some mechanical skill, etc.

 

[MT4runner]

ah front wheel drive....i did this once. had to run to Norco to get gas for my cutting torch. yes i had to torch out the rear/rear u-joint. the seals busted and it expanded so much that a press couldnt even get it out.... and mid cut i ran out of oxygen.

Why did radiator fluid go everywhere?

 

[magnumfan]

ah - a fellow python fan i detect

If there was fluid on the ground after the DS dropped out, it wasn't radiator fluid (unless it was at the front of the vehicle, and than 2 bad things happened at the same time).

More than likely it was from the tranny, thick brown gear oil for a a manual or red for an auto. Either way it would pretty much have to be 2WD, which would be a slip joint output for the DS.

A 4WD would have an output flange for the DS, and therefore no leakage.

Either way, replacing the U-joint is a DYI if you have some sockets, a vice, some mechanical skill, etc.

You stupid english K-Niggit!



j

 

[TJ_IN_AK]

I need to get some photos together. My father in-law says the radiator fluid is because the line to the back seat heater must have been clipped by the yoke arm coming out of the tranny (not sure of my terminology here and he did not look at but just listened to what happened.)

I'll see about posting photos tomorrow so we can get a better idea of exactly what went wrong.

Thank you to everyone who posted.

I broke down on a gravel drive way so no concrete stains.

Thanks again,
Tim

 

[MT4runner]

OOO. rear heater lines. i thought they ran through the inside of the cab? correct me if im wrong.

 

[04 sc V8]

Rear heat lines definitely run under the vehicle on T4R's! Also if the drive shaft smacked around enough to hit them then there's a good chance the shaft is damaged.

 

[TJ_IN_AK]

Yes, I think my drive shaft could be damaged. Something broke off about mid-way that was welded on...

Anybody have an idea on what this might cost me?

 

[MT4runner]

well if something broke off. then it could be a plate welded on to balance it...u could have it re-balanced.

Junkyard my friend. and U-joints cost like 25$-30$ at napa

 

[jsulen]

With the drive shaft flange kit off is this a problem I can fix or does it need to go to a mechanic shop?

A book like the CJ Haynes manual is a good one for these kinds of fixes. It goes over the tools and methods.

I use an old 3/4" I think it is socket to pound out the old joint and tap the new one in. There are circle clips that have to be pried out, I use a special pair of pliers for this or two mini screwdrivers.

Penetrating oil can help a Lot!

When you get the new joint, I recommend you also get new straps and bolts, they are cheap and the old straps will likely be stretched too bad to hold any more.

I also prefer the joints that can be greased, the non grease ones fail far too fast due to water contamination on the swampy trails I run on so they are basic garbage.