just slide the collar over the split in the shafts and tighten a hose clamp up against it around the axle shaft. easiest and cheapest fix. and it works, i've done it.

 

The vacuum activator is working fine so that's not the problem. There's something else holding back my 4wd. The front shaft is spinning so I assume the t case is working. Stripped gears in the diff? U Joints? Anyone know how to check the joints?

 

its time to pop the pumpkin open I think, the u-joints could be verified visually, and by torquing them by hand, if its solid then thats not the problem.

 

Okay, so I've got a u joint for either wheel. and 2 on each driveshaft? I'm not really understanding how the dana 30 works. Does the front shaft always spin? When the vacuum activator moves the collar, what is engaging? It seems to me that there should be 2 engaging points. I don't get it. Someone shine some light on it for me please, perhaps an exploded picture?

I suppose it may be time to pop that pumpkin open. I'm just waiting for a bit warmer weather.

 

Anyone ever swap out the transmission mount? I'm picking one up tomorrow. Quadratec site says it takes 3-4 hours?!

 

if you have a vacuum disconnect front axle, then no your front shaft will not always spin.

there is an engagement collar that connects the inner and outer halves of the shaft inside the axle on the passenger side, that collar is moved by the fork that is attached to the vacuum actuator.

I have some pictures at home on my pc, I will upload them later

 

3 or 4 hours?? wow

if I remember correctly its alot quicker than that

 

yup, much quicker.

use a jack or jack stand on the t-case or tranny, remove the nuts and bolts from the cross member mounts and the 4 nuts on the tranny mount to cross member. then it's just 2 large bolts to undo the tranny mount off the tranny.
reverse procedure to install.

 

I did the trans mount earlier tonight and it wasn't too bad. I think it took care of my floorboard noises too.

 

Checked the Joints behind the hubs, they seem mine. When I spin the wheel they spin as well. Is there something behind that may be stripped or broken? I really hope it's not the gears although I could get a used front axle assembly for 200 if that's the case.

 

bump

 

yes, they are supposed to turn when you turn the wheel. but the wheel shouldn't turn by hand when in 4wd. if it does, then you have a problem. probably your vac disconnect if equipped.

grab the shaft on each side of the u-joint when in 2wd and neutral,( block the wheels) and twist. there shouldn't be any play in the joint. if so, time for new ones.