My rig is 18 years old and I have an idea. I would like to take the propeller shaft off and clean it up. As it has been filled and re-filled with grease for 18 years, I would like to get it cleaned out and use the same grease from here on out.
I do understand this might not be necessary....just call it my OCD kicking in.
Has anyone ever done this by chance? If so, how did you manage to get all the old grease cleaned out?
guessing your talking rear shaft. yes I did take both my front and rear off, put them in the driveway and a big bottle of dawn dish washing liquid, a couple of cheap scrub brushes and went to town. I was able to get them very clean.
then I got a new tube of mobile one multi-purpose grease and shot each fitting with fresh grease until I could see all the old grease had been washed out. I did this on some plastic so I could use as much was necessary until I could see all the old grease was out.
I then cleaned everything up again and tested each joint. re-packed the slip yoke with the special ford slip yoke stuff and re-installed it. it was better, I had a very slight vibration but it was not really bad, the clunk into gear was also better but not gone.
measured everything up and ordered a new shaft from tom woods custom shafts in UT. truck is now smooth as silk. my advise is depending on how many miles are on your original shaft? I would just replace it if it's giving you trouble. I think like $350 bucks and you have a 100% brand new perfect shaft. odds are at some point it was not lubed on time and one of your joints are worn.
so after saying all that yes... the technique is to push as much new grease as is needed to wash out all the old grease.
you can replace u-joints but the toyota ones are $$$ spendy and the double cardone is notoriously difficult to replace. I for one see the driveshaft as part of the balanced drive train and when I see people using sledge hammers on youtube to fix them... I cringe. if it's a trail rig, sure beat it with a hammer but if you drive it on the road @ 80 mph for the love of god don't beat the u-joints with a hammer.
