Noise

SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A wrote: berettajeep wrote: I say remove the driveshaft and while there replace the u-joints or just check condition... Some do and most don't. The driveshaft in the picture has been repaired at some point in it's life; that isn't a factory weld. That picture is a good illustration of the tab style dust cap.

Edited by berettajeep - 20 June 2022 at 5:57pm

Hi guys,

Typically, a frozen slip yoke on a spline is caused by rust or mud (or both) in the inside of the slip yoke. Sometimes the yoke can be removed by hammering the back side of the slip yoke after the dust cap is removed. The driveshaft should be supported in a vise, preferably a chain vise so that the tubing is not distorted.
After the slip yoke is removed the splines need cleaned up and the inside of the slip yoke needs cleaned out. If there is no unusual wear the slip yoke and spline can be put back together and greased well. The assembly should slide easily after being greased. Reinstall the dust cap.

If the splines look barrel shaped, it is time for replacement of the splines AND the slip yoke by a competent driveline shop or replacement of the complete shaft. If the splined end is barrel shaped, you can almost guarantee that the slip yoke is worn also. If you replace the splines always replace the slip yoke. Check the condition of the u-joints on both end of the shaft while you are at it.

Do not run the driveshaft in a frozen state as this can cause damage to the axle pinion bearings and/or the front transfer case output bearing.

Edited by SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A - 24 June 2022 at 9:07pm

Assuming you have a stock CJ2A here is one possible solution:

Edited by Jeff J - 25 June 2022 at 8:42am

You didn't go into detail as to what you did to un-spline the drive shaft except to hammer on it. Before I threw it away I would put every effort into getting to apart. There is a good chance that it is still in usable condition, just needs freed up to slide. Many of these old vehicles were never driven in 4 wheel so they tended to freeze up. Many more never got grease like they needed. Does your drive shaft still have the grease zerk? If so will it take grease? If it won't take grease try pumping penetrating oil into it. Hold a hammer on one side of the yoke and hammer on the opposite side with another hammer, not really hard, just good hard taps to help break out the rust. You can also heat the yoke to try to get it to expand, not red hot, just even heat, then try to drive it apart. Use a brass driving bar so that you don't distort the yoke. A picture would help. Good luck!    

I took a couple of lengths of grade 8 all thread & made a couple of stout plates and some nuts & just made a cheap driveline compressor / separator tool. Worked great.