In my test drives around the neighborhood to get my fuel and stalling issue fixed, this happened.

So now my rig is just sitting on the side of the road waiting for the snow. My question is this. Did the bolts just break and back out of the u-joint? Can I get 4 new bolts and hook it back up and at least drive it 2 blocks to my driveway?

Any one want to buy a Bronco?!!!

That sucks! at least it didnt happen on the highway. was that drive shaft lengthened after the lift? How much you want? (kidding, you dont want to get rid of it really for that!)

No idea if it was lengthened or not. I wasn't flexing it but I did find one of the bolts on the road sheered in half and another one had backed out. I am guessing I could just bolt the u-joint back up to at least get it back to the driveway....

Could you tie the shaft up to the frame with some bailing wire and put it in 4h to get a couple blocks with the fronts engaged?

I would suggest you take the drive shaft all the way off - not tie it up, then put her in 4H and drive her home. Drew drove his home from the mountains with the rear shaft in the back of the rig that way.

Replacement hardware and U-joints all around. No telling what caused it to fail, probably lost one of the bolts and the rest failed due to the added stress. You will have to get the sheared bolts out of that yoke too, that might be your biggest hassle.

That happened to me going 75mph on the highway. Not in my Bronco though, it was a lifted 4runner. The driveshaft was toast. You are definitely lucky this happened driving around the neighborhood. Easy fix though.

I would also take the driveshaft off before driving it if you don't fix it where it sits, you risk beating the underside of the bronco if you dont.

Thanks guys-- popped the drive shaft off and drove it home. Just another thing to add to the long list of stuff to do. Any recommendations on the u-joints? What all hardware is needed?

Most of the heavy duty u-joints do not have the nipple so you can't grease them, but I have never had a problem with them. I use spicer u-joints. I did just replace a u-joint last month though that I had to get from O'Reilly's, it was a heavy duty version that still allowed me to grease them.

I use pliers to remove the snap ring, a socket smaller than the radius of the cap of the u-joint, and a socket larger than the radius of the cap, and a hammer.

The smaller socket is used to drive the u-joint out and the larger socket is used on the other side so the u-joint can be driven out.


If you a have a vise, you only need the pliers, hammer, and smaller socket to drive out the u-joint.

When installing the driveshaft do not over torque. The transfer side only needs 20 - 25 ft lb. The differential side (u-bolts) only need 8 - 15 ft lbs. Many people over torque these causing premature failure.

Easy fix. If you need help replacing the u-joints I can lend a hand at my place this Saturday.

This may help you...I always like pictures

http://autorepair.about.com/od/fixityou ... -Joint.htm

The flange looks pretty bad. I think I have a replacement you can have. Let me know if you want it.

Thanks Geologist. I had to change the u-joints on the steering shaft earlier this year. So it's better to get the u-joints with the grease nipple?

Horseplay- it did look like the flange was a little rough. If you've got one- I'd definitely take it. Let me know how?

Thanks guys.

In theory the u-joints with the grease zirc fitting are weaker than u-joints without zircs. There are holes, or passages for the grease to get from the zirc fitting to the caps & bearings. So by design those passages weaken the u-joint. The u-joints without grease fittings are "permanently" greased and don't need maintenance. If you go with a HD model, or a greasless model you'll be fine.

Changing the u-joint is easier with a press, and it's easier on the u-joint as well. I've got one if you want to bring it over. Alternately, a driveline place won't charge you much to change it (last one cost me $20 labor when I was in a hurry and didn't have time to do it myself). You seriously can't win with that thing right now...

Looks like you need to do some maintenance on the truck. Go thru and make sure all the bolts are tightened. All the suspension, all the u-joints, drivetrain mounts etc... Once done, get busy with a grease gun. U-joints in the front axle may have some, driveshafts at both ends and where they slip, knuckles, steering...

I like videos on how to replace u-joints:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4JYFOpzAeI

As D&D mentioned, you need to check to make sure you have the correct length of driveshaft. Put it back on one end, and make sure it can extend around an inch longer that it needs to at ride height and a little over an compression from ride height. Probably easier to mount it on the t-case and extend it towards the axle.

Pretty soon you'll have all new components on the bronco!! Keep at it. I know it's frustrating, but it'll get better.

u Joints are only part of equation. Make sure you check for play in the cv joint part of that shaft as well. They wear out to. I have northern Colorado driveline in greely build all my shafts and did have them rebuild one that the cv joint was junk on.

Just buy a new one ...

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-124 ... style.html

AND where greasless is concerned. I prefer greaseable anything that is on my driveline. Reason being, we all like to go off roading witch ( in many cases )means we are encountering water. It finds its way into anything. When you lube up your joints after wheeling in water you may even see it getting forced out.

Nah. We can walk you thru it. No better way to learn. It's not hard. You CAN do it.

I agree with JD, you should take on simple maintenance & tune up stuff youreslf. There is tons of knowledge on this forum, and some very helpful people who live close enough to lend a hand when needed. You'll save some money, not paying labor, and gain the knowledge for the future. We all have to start somewhere.

I can understand your frustrations with your truck. I went through a similar period with my truck. It was neglected and abused by the PO, and I didn't know much about cars & trucks. I bought my Bronco as a "learning experience". It has certainly lived up to that expectation. My friend has a 79 Cherokee that he bought and had the motor let go, 2 transmissions fail (1 was rebuilt to high end specs only to have a random hard part failure), driveshaft fail (a lot like yours), etc. Working through 40 years of neglect and abuse can take a little time.

Good luck

If you can hang on until early November I'll come by and we can go through all the major stuff and make a prioritized list to get you back to a good place.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I will say that while I was laying under the Bronco unbolting the drive shaft yesterday, a fine specimen of the female variety stopped and asked if that was my Bronco. She said she is obsessed with them and loved it. She told me it looked good whether driving down the street or sitting on the side of it. I will say that it eased the pain of pulling my driveshaft off.

I too, bought this as a way to "learn the ropes." I was just hoping not to be forced to learn so much all at once!! I really would like to get it to a point where it is somewhat reliable and I don't have to worry that every time I take it out, something new is gonna drop off.

Kinder-- all I am wanting to get accomplished between now and the end of November is to be able to safely drive it 10 miles. I just went under contract on a house that is going to give me much more space to work (also notice in the picture the extensive amount of Bronco driveway space-- easy parking for a stretched). If you have been to my one car shop you know how nice this will be-- plus the Bronco should fit under the door without problem so I can actually work on it in the garage instead of the driveway.
Fenton.jpg

I think I can get the driveshaft fixed relatively easy and I need to do some adjustments to the carb and just make sure the timing is still good. If we can get that accomplished and I can drive it to the new "home shop"-- I will be happy for now.

Congrats on the house!! Looks real nice. Nice big driveway and garage/shop! Did you end up in Arvada? I can relate to your excitement! I was without a garage for a few years and it sucked!!!

I will find the flange and let you that I have it in hand. We can figure out how to get it to you. Talk to you soon.
Rob C

Congrats on the house! When do you close?

Nov. 25th

When it rains it pours!! I have some time sat , if my swap starts well, call me and we'll figure something out