No. I leave them unlocked at all times unless needed. But to check your u joints, arent you suppesed to leave it on the ground to see if theres any play in the joints? Because then all you have is rear axle spin and not u joint play? Correct me if i wrong but thats just the way i think.

 

Yes and no, your not trying to make the tires spin, just slight turns back and forth. The play you are looking for is very noticeable when a u-joint is failing. You are looking for movement between the yoke and axle shaft, and axle shaft to the pinion flange. Like I mentioned also look for that red rust color around the caps.

 

Okay. Ill check on that tomorrow sometime.

 

Best way to check i think....

Park on a level flat spot, push in the e-brake, and leave the truck in neutral.

Dont forget to chock the tires.... AND HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU IN CASE SOMETHING GOES WRONG.

I was taught to never get under a truck etc alone.
Which is why we get raised holding onto the flashlight for our fathers.
If something goes wrong, as a kid... We would "run to mommy", which Im sure has saved some guys out there.

Lol

 

That works too, need to get the weight off the drive shaft.

 

True. I actually did have it kn neutral and e brake pulled and there was there wasand some movement between the transmission and yoke and the rear end. But i figured that was because it wasnt in gear.

 

If you Cant get the tires safely off the ground, i was taught to "free up" or "loosen" the drive line by putting it in neutral

 

If you have rotational movement when youre under there lets you know that your driveline is free.

Then since the u-joint is basically an "X", try and "pull" the drive shaft straight out by pushing or pulling towards each of the x's 4 points.

If you have movement, time to drop that shaft.

 

First.. thats what she said..
_
Second. Now i see. I was just trying to spin it. But i wasnt sure if it was correct because all i could think i was dojng was just moving non-actuated gears in the transmission..

 

You could try to spin it... But dont you think the rear tires(if on the ground) would prevent that lol....

I learned on kenworths about checking u-joints.

But if you got the tires off the ground, you can leave it in park if you want.