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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/driveline question

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Expert: - 5/24/2007


Question
Hey i have a 2000 gmc sierra 1500 with a 4 inch lift. i was recently on the highway when unexpectedly my u joint snapped and i lost my driveshaft destroying it, then i had to drive 30 miles with just front wheel drive. i was wondering what the fluid is that leaked out where the sliding yoke slides into the transmission. i checked all the fluids and they are good but i dont know what kind of lubricant to put inside. any help would be great.....and also do you think it is contaminated in there? should i rinse it out or something? also my new driveline will be steel instead of aluminum will this cause a problem????please help me  

Answer
Casey,

First, check out your drive line angles.  With the lift, you would need to make sure that the u-joints have the same angle coming out of the transfer case and the differentials.  If not, your u-joints can get in a bind and break.

The yoke is sliding into the transfer case, and not the transmission.  This unit is separate from the transmission, and has it's own fluid.  This is usually checked through a plug in the side of the transfer case.  Most take automatic transmission fluid, but some require a special synthetic lubricant.  I doubt if it's contaminated, but it wouldn't hurt to change it with new fluid.

I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual for your GMC, as it will give you all the specifications for fluids, and how to change them.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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