My 1979 Jeep Cherokee needed a U-joint replaced on the front driveshaft (propeller shaft). I removed the shaft and ordered a new one after getting its specs.
I went on some forums to determine other people's experiences regarding driving without the front driveshaft. Everyone wrote that they did it without any problems.
I drove the Cherokee, no faster than 25mph, for about 2-1/2 miles. Whenever accelerating, it made squeaking and grinding noises. They appeared to come from the rear differential.
Then the Cherokee stopped. It wouldn't move anymore in any gear plus it no longer made any noises. So I had it towed to my driveway where it sat until I received and installed the new driveshaft.
While waiting, I removed the rear differential cover and examined everything. All looked good, so I replaced the cover and filled the differential with fluid.
I received the driveshaft and installed it. To my surprise, the Cherokee ran fine, without noises or any issues, as if nothing had ever happened.
I conclude that the transfer case requires the balance of the propulsion of driving both driveshafts. Without it, a single driveshaft isn't able to move the 6,000 vehicle.
It would have been interesting to see if the Cherokee would have gotten better gas mileage than its average 9 or 10 miles per gallon.
I went on some forums to determine other people's experiences regarding driving without the front driveshaft. Everyone wrote that they did it without any problems.
I drove the Cherokee, no faster than 25mph, for about 2-1/2 miles. Whenever accelerating, it made squeaking and grinding noises. They appeared to come from the rear differential.
Then the Cherokee stopped. It wouldn't move anymore in any gear plus it no longer made any noises. So I had it towed to my driveway where it sat until I received and installed the new driveshaft.
While waiting, I removed the rear differential cover and examined everything. All looked good, so I replaced the cover and filled the differential with fluid.
I received the driveshaft and installed it. To my surprise, the Cherokee ran fine, without noises or any issues, as if nothing had ever happened.
I conclude that the transfer case requires the balance of the propulsion of driving both driveshafts. Without it, a single driveshaft isn't able to move the 6,000 vehicle.
It would have been interesting to see if the Cherokee would have gotten better gas mileage than its average 9 or 10 miles per gallon.
