how to remove driveshaft on 01 dodge ram ?

[Nick]

Hi, i have a 2001 dodge ram 1500. standard cab(2 door), long bed, 3.9 liter v6, auto trans. recently the driveshaft(the big round shaft in the middle) broke in half on my truck while i was driving down the road, i bought this truck a few months ago and apparently the recent owner duck tape the shaft, i guess it was broke before. anyway, i have a couple of question. first, the driveshaft comes in one piece right ? i ask this because i've been searching online and i saw many places selling "front driveshaft" and "rear driveshaft". how many do i have ? i'm talking about the shaft that connect your trans to your differential. second, and this is a important one, how do i remove it ? do i need some kind of special tool ? and do i need to do any alignment of some sort when i put the new one in ? any tricks i should know about getting the shaft out and putting it in ? also, anyone know if there's any website that sell driveshaft for my truck model ? i can't find any, even went to Napa and Advance Auto. i'll try the junk yard but if i can find a new one then that would be great. please give specific detail if possible. thanks for all your time and help !

 

[chris p]

the reason they are refering to front and rear is because some trucks are 4x4 and have two drive shafts. the one you are refering to would be considered the rear one on a 4x4. the front one would connect the transfer case(it attaches to the rear of the transmission)to the front differential. so if you have a 2 wheel drive it would just be called the drive shaft. as far as removal there are four small bolts that attach it to the differential. these are usally 7/16 or 3/8 (wrench size). they actually are retaining bolts that secure a metal clamp around the universal joint to the pinion on the differential. just remove those and stick a prybar it there are pry it loose. hold it because it will fall and hit you if you are not careful. the front portion of the shaft is what is call a slip yolk. it just sildes into the back of the tranny. just pull it out. use a drain pan because you should loose some fluid. as far a buying one. you are not going to find this at the parts store. go to the junk yard. should run you between 25 and 50 bucks. hope this helps