I've searched extensively and am having a hard time finding a definitive answer to this - I'm sorry if I'm going over something that's already been covered.

I have a 98 Blazer, non-auto 4x4 (3-button TC) that is in really great shape (after putting a lot of work into it). The only thing that is a constant pain in the butt is the always-broken 4wd. To get rid of unnecessary (and unused) junk, I'd just like to get rid of the 4wd components, except for the transfer case (I don't want to replace/alter the transmission to do this).

Is it possible to remove: the front axles (leaving the CV ends in the wheel bearings), the front diff., the front driveshaft and the TCCM? My main concern is whether or not the missing front driveshaft will cause any problems down the road.

Thanks for your help!

 

i JUST got done doing this to my 91 4x4. As long as you have your outter cv's in the hub you should be alright. I did mine and im having a problem with wheel wobble,but i think i broke a balljoint or alignment. Good luck with it.

 

if its not working, Why not just leave the stuff in there and save your self a bunch of useless work. Just incase you ever wanna go back and tackle the broken 4x4 issue just my 2cents. Its your truck so you make the final call on it. good luck with whatever choice you make

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I don't use 4wd anyway, and I'm the type I like to have everything as clean and simple as possible. I know it's weird, but it's really irritating to me knowing I'm carrying around all those non-functional parts.

Besides, I plan on doing a 350/700R4 swap down the road, so it's all going to have to come out anyway.

 

how do you take out the cv while leaving the outers in the hub? im trying to figure this out as a temporary solution to my problem as my cv's are so bad i cant turn the frickin wheels. there's no bearings or grease left in them. so for kinda hijackin the thread. thanks in advance for the help

 

You need to pull the cv's completely out. Then you have 2 options.

1. Put the cv in a Vice and beat the **** out of the end(dont hit the splines) until it pops off.
2. On my 91,im not sure if they are the same. But i had a carter pin holding mine together inside the boot past the old grease etc. Rip the boot off,remove old grease and find that pin,pull it out and it'll come apart. Then stick the ends back in the hubs,torque to about 175ftlb and be done with it.


Also if its on the 88' blazer, Its the same as mine, you cant get the inner cv off the truck without removing the bottom of the strut etc. If the cv is bad just yank the hell out of the cv towards you until the cv rips out of the inner. then bolt the inner back up with a few bolts until you are ready to do the work with the new one...Ive done all this myself....ugh

 

yea mine actually bolt to the diff. i was just thinkin about ripping the boot off and tearin it apart on the truck without taking the shaft out. any idea's keep in mind im just doin this till i get the money for the new shafts so i dont want to **** anything up

 

Cant get it off while its still on the truck. Been there tried it. There isnt enough room for the rest of the cv to slide out of the outer end to disconnect them. You have to take off the hub at least.

 

damn well i tried lol! looks like i have a fun day ahead of me tomorrow!! woohoo FML

 

Its alright. Its not as bad as you think it is. Just pop off the 36mm nut off the hub. pop loose the balljoints,tie rod end. the hub slides off. Then pull/beat the heck out of the cv axle till it breaks loose from the inner,remove outter boot,pull pin. slide outter joint back in hub. reinstall hub with joint. and look at all the crap on your clothes. Its a 4 beer job.