[HELP] Front Propeller Shaft Removal

[Znarf]

I'm trying to remove my front propeller shaft and am having some trouble getting it off the studs on the front diff and t-case flanges.

After removing the 8 nuts I thought I'd be able to compress the slip joint to get enough clearance for the studs but the shaft doesn't seem to want to compress. I tried using a pry bar between the shaft flange and t-case flange to gently compress the slip joint but it doesn't seem to want to move; removed the grease fitting in case there was too much grease in there but no difference.

Before I go any further, is there a trick to this or is it my driveshaft?

Thanks

 

[A10Driver]

Remove the grease zirk, should compress just fine after

 

[TexAZ]

Make sure there is no tension on the shaft. Lift the front of the truck so that the wheels are off the ground

 

[OregonLC]

While the front shaft has splines for longitudinal movement, it remains essentially static in length throughout it's life as both the center and front are in (relatively) fixed positions on an IFS rig (unlike the rear). You either have crud/rust on the splines preventing the compression or, as @A10Driver suggested the shaft is hydrolocked with grease. Remove the zerk, and it should compress. I'd suggest cleaning up the splines while you have it out to make maintenance easier in the future. HTH.

 

[KLF]

...removed the grease fitting in case there was too much grease in there but no difference.

Looks to me like he already tried that.

 

[nalabama]

If it's hydro-locked with old, dried up grease, the only thing that is going to let that grease out is probably heat, and it will take a lot of it. I suppose you could try pumping some solvent in there through the grease fitting as well and see if that helps. Good luck.