Chevy & GMC Vans

Hey Everyone, I am pretty sure I have a bad cv joint up front and am wondering if I can remove the front drive shaft and drive it that way for a while until I can properly diagnose and fix/ replace the half shafts.

I have done a bunch of searching this forum and others but am still not sure how this applies specifically to my '95.

It just started clunking up front and it sure feels like that is the problem. I can see that the inner axle shaft boot on the passenger side has a tear in it so I am suspecting it's time to at least replace all the boots and repack with grease.

Any advice is much appreciated!

You can drive without the front drive shaft in but it isn't recommended for very long. You MUST use caution and either block your wheels when parking or use your parking brake as the van will roll without the front shaft in. Seeing as your issue is with the front CV half shafts, taking out the drive shaft won't help. Those CV shafts will turn and slowly destroy themselves any time you are moving. Might as well leave the drive shaft in and plan on fixing the CV shafts ASAP.

Thanks, that's kinda what I was figuring on. Located some half shafts at the local O'Reilly's and am pulling the right side out now.

$53.00 for a rebuilt half shaft. I brought the old one with so I didn't have to pay the hundred dollar core fee per axle. They only had one in stock and the other will be in tomorrow in case I need both. Also throwing in some new break pads while I'm in there and dirty.

Also stopped at the liquor store on the way back to pick up a case of installation fluid!

test drive and all is good again.The biggest battle was freeing up all the crusty stuff, as usual. The Minnesota climate and salty roads are hard on these old beasts!

Glad it's all set.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Glad it's all set.

Yes, thanks for your help!