Driveshaft Greasing

[Holdover]

Hello everyone. Long time reader. I have the common driveshaft thud after releasing brakes from a stop, read several threads and done some research on it.

So options I see is replacing it under Warranty, for it to likely come back later. Replacing it with an aftermarket unit. Attempt to remove it and grease it. I think I'm going to try the latter, but I'm not sure how to proceed if its at all possible. I see claims of people doing it, but since this shaft is different from the F150 or even the Ranger ones I've looked at I'm not sure.

Is it possible? whats parts do I need if so. I assume the new clamps, but no info or kits that I've found on them. TIA!

2023 2DR Badlands 2.7l

Sponsored

 

[Ducati1098]

Ford doesn’t sell the clamps separately, so you’ll need to find new ones that will work/that are the same size. Because of this, I don’t think anyone has taken one apart, at least I haven’t seen anyone claim to have done it yet.

Just make sure you mark both sides of the driveshaft prior to disassembly so it goes back together correctly. If it’s not indexed correctly, it’ll no longer be balanced.

 

[Holdover]

Yeah, from all the threads I've read so far theres no clear process on how to source the clamps or if its actually been done before.

Not sure if I want to risk opening it without being able to assemble it back properly. Might just have to spend the $$ on an aftermarket alternative that fixes the issue.

 

[Ducati1098]

Yeah, from all the threads I've read so far theres no clear process on how to source the clamps or if its actually been done before.

Not sure if I want to risk opening it without being able to assemble it back properly. Might just have to spend the $$ on an aftermarket alternative that fixes the issue.

They’re just oetiker clamps, so they should be easy to source, I just don’t know the size. But that would be easy to figure out just by measuring the diameter.

Can’t speak for the rest of the procedure though as I haven’t tried it.

 

[Ducati1098]

Yeah definitely not as cut and dry as a good old worm clamp, but they do a good job.

 

[1199Ducati]

They’re just oetiker clamps, so they should be easy to source, I just don’t know the size. But that would be easy to figure out just by measuring the diameter.

Can’t speak for the rest of the procedure though as I haven’t tried it.

If there is a size # stamped on the OEM clamp, they are cheap clamps. Ranger Spline Grease would be the same I would think. I'm greasing my Ranger spines this weekend, I'll see if there is a size number stamped then check those on my Bronco to see if the numbers match

 

[Ducati1098]

If there is a size # stamped on the OEM clamp

Not sure, never looked that closely at them

 

[Roger123]

Don't be too concerned about the clamps, they are pretty simple to use once you buy the tool for <$20 and source the correct diameter clamps.

This was on my to do list before my Bronco was wrecked last week so it's at the shop now for an estimate.

I haven't looked that hard at it yet but couldn't "regular" hose clamps be used as well? If you put them 180 apart they really shouldn't affect balance I would think. Maybe too wide?

Anyway, hoping my car isn't totaled and when I get it back this will move to the top of the list as mine "clunks" pretty badly.

 

[Holdover]

The clamps now that I know theres no available OEM, should'nt be too bad to source. I've seen a few kits with a variety of sizes and the tool for cheap online.

Just need to get the right grease, and maybe I'll attempt it.

 

[Holdover]

Performed the greasing of the driveshaft today. It's a little different from other Driveshafts I've seen before, very long articulation. Very little grease was in there, one tube of PTFE was enough. used some other type of clamp I got from a local reman shop. Drove around for 45m, so far the clunk is gone completely. There was some gouges on the splines and sharp areas. So it was causing some damage to them. I'll report back if it returns.

 

[1199Ducati]

Gabriel, are the splines keyed like the Ranger so that one way only driveshaft couples back together?

 

[Roger123]

Wow, that is/was dry!!

 

[gbub]

I did this maintenance one time on my 2002 Ranger at around 100K miles. I don't know if it has the same clamp but it sounds like it. I was actually able to reuse it. I used Krytox grease. I used the one that has a little molybdenum disulfide in it. It worked very well and I never had the clunking again.

Sponsored