So i need a new (used) driveshaft as the Ujoints are bad and my teeth are falling outfrom the resulting vibration. So I wonder, why can't I pull the driveshaft, run in 2wd only, reglue my teeth and look for a replacement driveshaft? Anyone have an idea what this might do? Will the transer case or rear diff or rear axles be damaged by turning more freely than per spec?

Well if you talking about Removing the Driveshaft that Runs the Rear Wheels you cant do that, you need that drive shaft in the transmission, once you pull that out of the tranny you will lose all the Oil in the Transmission.

 

If you are talking about taking out the front Axle and running in rear wheel drive, then yes that can be done and has been done many times as a temp solution.

 

-Matt-

you can take out the rear half of the driveshaft after the rubber donut thing, but that may or may not solve the vibration problem.

You can do it, you'll just need to plug the hole so that you don't lose a bunch of tranny oil. I found that most spray paint can caps fit perfectly into there, Just make sure to put a little duck tape over and around there to make sure the cap doesn't come out.

I've driven without the rear half for a while, and I know somebody who drove for a year without it.

Well see i learn soemthing new everyday

Also, your severe vibration could be due to a bad DOJ on one of the front axles. I've had one so bad if felt like the whole transmission was about to fall out. The tip-off is that the vibration goes away if you let off the gas, and then comes back when you get on the gas again.

Thanks all. I've removed the rear half of the drive shaft as the utterly destroyed ujoint was the one closest to the diff. This resolved the vibration problem -- I'd forgotten just how smoothly the old girl could run. Feels like a new car! Better yet, when I took her for a test drive after removing the half-shaft I saw an old sub in someone's front yard -- an 88 GL wagon. He gave it to me so now I have a parts car as well! Won't have to drive for years in FWD only! What a day. Mabye life doesn't suck.

 

kdr