Driving without front driveshaft
 

Have any of you driven with the front driveshaft removed?

I'm thinking of removing it to help isolate the source of vibration I have that is at the frequency of the driveshaft.

FYI: The answer is Yes, you can drive without the front drive shaft installed. There is a nice seal around the front output shaft. I wouldn't drive with it out for long since the output shaft from the transfer case that is splined could get damaged if left exposed.

I discovered that my vibration was gone with it out. The u-joint was pretty tight so I think that was the issue.

Looks like you've answered your own question. So does this mean that your search to eliminate the vibrations is finally done?

I sure hope so!

I got the replacement drive shaft an hour ago. I'll report back after I install it and do my test drive!

i probably would not have though to buy a new one,but sounds like a good idea...did yours have a rubber like joint

There is a CV joint with a rubber boot at the transfer case end and a u-joint at the front axle end. I thought about replacing just the u-joint which would have been MUCH less expensive, but then I realized that the CV joint was also 26 years old and that even though sealed, the grease would have been quite old. I looked at the price of replacement CV joints for the front drive shaft and then factored in that I really needed to get this done quickly due to the weather getting bad and although still less expensive to rebuild the old one, I didn't want to have to deal with the uncertainty of the my rebuild not working correctly. I also considered having the local transmission shop rebuild it for me but then that would have added an extra cost and a bit more delay. So in short, I'm spending about $100 to $150 extra dollars extra for being able to get this done quickly and for peace of mind.

Now, if it had been June and my other car was running fine, I would have likely tried to do the rebuild myself since I could have afforded the time to do so.

Having 4wd for winter is a major consideration. I completely understand that one!