Grease Ram Front 4x4 Drive Shaft
I just finished greasing the front drive shaft on my 08 Ram. Probably have done this 10-12 times and it never gets any easier finding the pin hole and getting the needle fitting on your grease gun i...
Forum Discussion
OK... Thanks all, not the answer I was looking for but it looks like the fitting has changed somewhat but its still there and needs done. I did not know the newer Rams are now like the Fords & Chevys in that the front drive shaft does not spin continuously. I thought that was the reason it required grease on that spline shaft between the yoke and transfer case. Wonder why Ford & Chevy do not require grease?
I have done this at least a dozen times and here is what the pictures don't show you. Yes the pictures make it look easy and bright.
In reality you jack up the left front tire, transmission in neutral, I have 6 spd manual. Then you can rotate the shaft by hand or turn the wheel to move the drive shaft. Then on your creeper facing back you try and find a place for your light to light up the fitting, turning the shaft to either the 9 or 3 position. Your neck is now starting to cramp up as you lift it off the creeper looking over the cross member & side frame. Now you take the needle being carful not to stab yourself and begin the process of getting it in the hole. But your hand with the needle in it blocks the light showing you the hole. So you poke and prod around trying to get into the hole and now your neck can no longer take it and you mush lay it back down on the creeper. Back at it now you finally think you have it in, but with your hand holding the needle in, you are not sure and cannot see. So you hold the needle in and begin to back off to the rubber hose of the gun so you can keep the needle in and see, using a flashlight you see you are in. Now get the gun and you need the pistol grip type, as it is probably laying on your chest. Neck is now almost into second stage cramping as you are always trying to see. Pump the gun 3 or 4 pumps slow as the needle opening is very small.
Once you are set up to go, I agree with what someone said, it only takes a minuet & 3 pumps, hummmmm I think I heard that 50 years ago only in the vehicle not under it..........
So if you have taken your Ram to a Walmart or quick lube, even the dealer over the years, I don't think you ever got this greased. As I said to move the shaft you have to jack up the left front tire to do that and I never saw any tech do that while they are in the pit you drive over to drain the oil. Maybe if it was on a lift but that is not used very often for an oil change. Maybe now the newer Rams if you just put the truck in neutral you can turn the drive shaft by hand. If so it could be done in a grease pit, but not the older ones. Either jack it up or drive it moving an inch or less at a time with the tech under the truck trying to line it up & I don't see that happening.
Its not a hard project as you are not changing the guidance system in a cruise missile, but it is a real pain in the butt...........
I have done this at least a dozen times and here is what the pictures don't show you. Yes the pictures make it look easy and bright.
In reality you jack up the left front tire, transmission in neutral, I have 6 spd manual. Then you can rotate the shaft by hand or turn the wheel to move the drive shaft. Then on your creeper facing back you try and find a place for your light to light up the fitting, turning the shaft to either the 9 or 3 position. Your neck is now starting to cramp up as you lift it off the creeper looking over the cross member & side frame. Now you take the needle being carful not to stab yourself and begin the process of getting it in the hole. But your hand with the needle in it blocks the light showing you the hole. So you poke and prod around trying to get into the hole and now your neck can no longer take it and you mush lay it back down on the creeper. Back at it now you finally think you have it in, but with your hand holding the needle in, you are not sure and cannot see. So you hold the needle in and begin to back off to the rubber hose of the gun so you can keep the needle in and see, using a flashlight you see you are in. Now get the gun and you need the pistol grip type, as it is probably laying on your chest. Neck is now almost into second stage cramping as you are always trying to see. Pump the gun 3 or 4 pumps slow as the needle opening is very small.
Once you are set up to go, I agree with what someone said, it only takes a minuet & 3 pumps, hummmmm I think I heard that 50 years ago only in the vehicle not under it..........
So if you have taken your Ram to a Walmart or quick lube, even the dealer over the years, I don't think you ever got this greased. As I said to move the shaft you have to jack up the left front tire to do that and I never saw any tech do that while they are in the pit you drive over to drain the oil. Maybe if it was on a lift but that is not used very often for an oil change. Maybe now the newer Rams if you just put the truck in neutral you can turn the drive shaft by hand. If so it could be done in a grease pit, but not the older ones. Either jack it up or drive it moving an inch or less at a time with the tech under the truck trying to line it up & I don't see that happening.
Its not a hard project as you are not changing the guidance system in a cruise missile, but it is a real pain in the butt...........
