Front drive shaft disconnect

[4runnerAzGuy]

We’re in the middle of our trip and have gone about 2500 miles. We started getting a really bad vibration above 40ish. I checked and the front CV has failed and is almost twisted out. We decided to cut the trip short and head home but I need to either disconnect the drive shaft or go slow home and hope it doesnt catastrophically fail and ruin everything around the drive shaft.

My big question is will it ruin the center diff if I disconnect the drive shaft? Will it hurt anything to drive with the front shaft disconnected. Is either side a slip yoke or is it just the flanges like it looks like.

We have about 400 miles to get home left and we’re also pulling about a 3500 lb trailer. We’re in a Walmart parking lot tonight so I need to decide what I’m going to do to get home.

 

[theoutbackdream]

You should get it towed home, or fixed near you.

If you don't want to tow it home or get it fixed near you, there's no guarantee it'll be safe...

In any case..

If you can't lock the center diff, you'll need to get it towed of fixed right there.

If you can lock the center diff, and able to drop the front drive shaft, I THINK you will be fine and will not harm anything.

 

[4runnerAzGuy]

You should get it towed home, or fixed near you.

If you don't want to tow it home or get it fixed near you, there's no guarantee it'll be safe...

In any case..

If you can't lock the center diff, you'll need to get it towed of fixed right there.

If you can lock the center diff, and able to drop the front drive shaft, I THINK you will be fine and will not harm anything.

I can lock the center diff, there are no problems with the diff. I mainly worry about extra stress on the diff only powering the rear and pulling the trailer.

 

[theoutbackdream]

I can lock the center diff, there are no problems with the diff. I mainly worry about extra stress on the diff only powering the rear and pulling the trailer.

Well, FWIW, the V6's disengage the front driveshaft. I doubt you'll have any BIG worries about extra stress on the diff, unless you're driving around with a lead foot, but i'm no expert.

 

[4runnerAzGuy]

Well, FWIW, the V6's disengage the front driveshaft. I doubt you'll have any BIG worries about extra stress on the diff, unless you're driving around with a lead foot, but i'm no expert.

Yea but the v8s have the torsen center diff so I think it’ll split power 50/50 with the center diff locked so I would guess I’ll have 50% power to the rear then 50% just spinning the front flange with no shaft? The v8s are either AWD or 4wd with the center locked

 

[theoutbackdream]

Yea but the v8s have the torsen center diff so I think it’ll split power 50/50 with the center diff locked so I would guess I’ll have 50% power to the rear then 50% just spinning the front flange with no shaft? The v8s are either AWD or 4wd with the center locked

Yes, your guess is correct. Locking the center will split 50/50, and make the front flange spin at the same speed as the rear drive shaft.

Regardless, you will need your center diff locked in order to even move, as the power will go to the easiest wheel(s). In this case, the front driveshaft..

 

[Geerlijd]

I would just buy a cheap CV axle at AutoZone or another parts store, replace the damaged one and go on your way.

If you have an OEM part now, keep it so you can rebuild a better one. When your home.

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[having fun]

Seems to me by what I see in your picture, you have a bad Universal joint on your drive line.
Pull the drive shaft out, and replace it.

Just put match marks on the drive line and slip yoke in case it slide out before removal.

 

[bob3dsf]

Yea but the v8s have the torsen center diff so I think it’ll split power 50/50 with the center diff locked so I would guess I’ll have 50% power to the rear then 50% just spinning the front flange with no shaft? The v8s are either AWD or 4wd with the center locked

V6s have a torsen center diff as well. The only difference in the drive line is the V6s can shit into 2wd.

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[Drunner97]

Seems to me by what I see in your picture, you have a bad Universal joint on your drive line.
Pull the drive shaft out, and replace it.

Just put match marks on the drive line and slip yoke in case it slide out before removal.

I think this is where some confusion is. The pics show a toasted ujoint but he mentions a cv in the OP. Either way I'd Just pull it and fix it too.

 

[4runnerAzGuy]

I think this is where some confusion is. The pics show a toasted ujoint but he mentions a cv in the OP. Either way I'd Just pull it and fix it too.

I meant U joint not cure why I wrote CV. I pulled the drive shaft though and I’m just gonna run it home without it. I’m in a parking lot in the middle of no where so hammering out the old joint and pressing a new one in would be a pain. I can do the work at home no problem but I’m still 400 miles out that’s why I’m asking

 

[Drunner97]

I meant U joint not cure why I wrote CV. I pulled the drive shaft though and I’m just gonna run it home without it. I’m in a parking lot in the middle of no where so hammering out the old joint and pressing a new one in would be a pain. I can do the work at home no problem but I’m still 400 miles out that’s why I’m asking

Yeah I can't comment on what it's going to do to the front diff unfortunately. I've also never replaced ujoints but I usually have an over abundance of tools with me for these kinds of emergencies. I'd think if there was a Walmart, there might be a shop that can press the old ujoint out and put a new one in for you if you could find the parts locally.

 

[having fun]

Thx. Kept rereading your post and looking at the picture for awhile, scratching my head wonder why the 8 would be that much different than the 6.
Something not right here.

Glad to hear your able to move on!

 

[USMCEngineer]

Update

Please update us how it went.

 

[blind squirrel]

There was a member on here that took his front driveshaft out and drove it around for quite some time with no ill effects. He did say how easy it would burn out because of the V8 power. Hope you made it home okay OP.

 

[AuSeeker]

A big C-clamp and various sockets will remove the old u-joint and press in the new one, this is the way I have always replaced mine over many years!!

 

[radlynx]

i guess in your situation, it will be best to remove the front drive shaft, lock the center differential and drive it home. it will be fine driving it even with a trailer. fixing it onsite without the right tools and parts will be a challenge.

remember, there are 4runners thats only 2wd. the 4x4 v6 are driven mostly as rear wheel drive, turned to 4x4 when the terrain needs it.

keep us posted ok.

I meant U joint not cure why I wrote CV. I pulled the drive shaft though and I’m just gonna run it home without it. I’m in a parking lot in the middle of no where so hammering out the old joint and pressing a new one in would be a pain. I can do the work at home no problem but I’m still 400 miles out that’s why I’m asking

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[duffdog]

You will be fine. I did the same thing and drove home 100 miles with a driveshaft removed, no issues, no problems. Just lock the center diff and you are good.

 

[Mike07SE]

You'll be just fine. Pull that front shaft out and lock the diff. Drivetrain can handle the V8 power no problem in rwd. Same drivetrain as the v6, just the v6 can revert from 2wd and AWD. Besides the power difference isn't like 100 hp.

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