Help - how does this go back together!

[Paul]

So I replaced a broken strut tonight (see Suspension forum thread) and found my skid plate full of oil. Looking above it the drive shaft has come out of the front differential. It looks like there's a seal that gave way exposing the oil leak. The tire spins freely at this point and the shaft doesn't go back that 2-3" that it looks like it needs.

How does this go back together? Is this a job I can do or does it need to go to the dealer? Can the vehicle be driven in 2WD to get there? What's involved?

Help - how does this go back together!

Help - how does this go back together!

Help - how does this go back together!

[Paul]

Done - apparently you just wiggle it around and spin the wheel and it pops back into place.

[Oz]

Done - apparently you just wiggle it around and spin the wheel and it pops back into place.

Paul did you mean Drive shaft or Axleshaft coming out of the Dif - dont see the DS in your pix

[Paul]

I'm not sure of the names but it's the axle shaft that comes out of the front differential heading to the starboard side into the wheel. Theres a seal that seems to have popped out of place. Picuture two above shows the gap exposed, its back together again now.

[Oz]

I'm not sure of the names but it's the axle shaft that comes out of the front differential heading to the starboard side into the wheel. Theres a seal that seems to have popped out of place. Picuture two above shows the gap exposed, its back together again now.

Ah ok - was a little confused cause the DS (or if your in England they call it a 'propeller shaft') runs from the transfer case to the dif. Ya the axle shafts run from the dif to the wheels - they both can pop out - but different ways to address the, BUT you figured it out so this is rather moot now