Restoring Rusty

[rich weyand]

The paint may be keeping it from telescoping, or you may already be in all the way.

Lowering or raising a a vehicle often requires playing with driveshaft length, since the driveshaft often angles down to the diff. Raising the diff (lowering the vehicle) shortens the required driveshaft length.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by rich weyand

The paint may be keeping it from telescoping, or you may already be in all the way.

Hi Rich, I think that thing wouldn't move even before I painted it, I should have addressed that issue/concern back then, but I decided to ignore it, and now it's bitten me, as always, anywho never time to do it right, but always time to do it over!

I will be pulling the driveshaft out and examining it closely off the truck, wish me luck. I think it should come apart with force, I don't think there is anything holding it preventing it from being pulled out all the way.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by Gregski

Hi Rich, I think that thing wouldn't move even before I painted it, I should have addressed that issue/concern back then, but I decided to ignore it, and now it's bitten me, as always, anywho never time to do it right, but always time to do it over!

I will be pulling the driveshaft out and examining it closely off the truck, wish me luck. I think it should come apart with force, I don't think there is anything holding it preventing it from being pulled out all the way.

Take a look at this.. You can see how can separate.

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znet...528003dc2e.gif

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Take a look at this.. You can see how can separate.

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znet...528003dc2e.gif

Thanks bud, here's what it looks like in the '74 Manual, but the how to git it apart could use some more words, ha ha

CENTER SUPPORT BEARING

1. Remove dust shield.
2. Remove strap retaining rubber cushion from bearing support.
3. Pull support bracket from rubber cushion and pull cushion from bearing.
4. Pull bearing assembly from shaft.
5. Assemble bearing support as follows:
a. Install inner deflector on propeller shaft, if removed, and prick punch deflector at two opposite points to make sure it is tight on shaft.
b. Fill space between inner dust shield and bearing with lithium soap grease.
c. Start bearing and slinger assembly straight on shaft journal. Support propeller shaft and, using suitable length of pipe over splined end of shaft, press bearing and inner slinger against shoulder on shaft.
d. Install dust shield over shaft, small diameter first and press into position against outer slinger.
e. Install rubber cushion onto bearing.
f. Install bracket onto cushion.