driveshaft repair - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BookMan · 09-20-2003, 03:36 PM

I just fixed my broken driveshaft in an interesting way that I thought some of you fellow hillbilly-ers might appreciate.
My driveshaft was cut at some point in its life and someone tried to weld it back together. They didn't do a very good job and it broke right at the cut/spot weld.
What I did was to go to the hardware store and buy a 4 inch length of 2 inch interior diameter galvanized pipe which fit over the driveshaft perfectly. Then I drilled 2 holes all the way through both the pipe and driveshaft at two different points perpendicular to each other. So that one bolt goes all the way through each end of the broken driveshaft. I don't really think I needed to but then I welded the new pipe to the driveshaft.
I haven't actually put it back in yet but it looks strong as hell and I bet its going to work great
Granted it won't be balanced but since I intend to change engines and trans soon I think it will be a perfect temporary fix so I can at least get the truck into the shop under its own power.

jef5150 · 09-20-2003, 04:37 PM

this "shop", is it on your property????

BookMan · 09-20-2003, 05:01 PM

yes but why? Are you sceptical about the fix?

my new 72 · 09-20-2003, 05:20 PM

I am. Doesn't sound too safe to me.

Fred T · 09-20-2003, 05:46 PM

I agree with Josh. It should get you home, but I wouldn't drive it too much. I was okay with it until you mentioned the bolts. They'll do their best to vibrate loose.

BookMan · 09-20-2003, 06:00 PM

I appreciate your concern. But this is my thinking. A previous owner shortened the front portion of the shaft and only welded it back together in one spot. That lasted for about 3K miles.
And - The pipe I used as a patch is at least twice as thick as the tubing of the driveshaft itself so my patch is stronger than the original.
And - Worst case scenario the bolts through the shaft break AND the welds break (which seems unlikely) and it comes apart again. That would most likely happen when I'm putting the most torque on the driveline - which would be starting from a stop. So most likely the only thing that would happen would be the short piece of shaft directly behind the trans would spin around bang against the bottom of the cab like it did before.
Admittedly the fix is not ideal because of the balance issue but for a savings of $98 its worth a try for a temporary fix.

Unless I'm not thinking about it correctly. What do you think?

BookMan · 09-20-2003, 06:04 PM

Maybe you're right about the bolts trying to vibrate loose. I won't be driving it far. I'll be curious to see what they look like when I swap out the trans soon.

Longhorn Man · 09-20-2003, 09:18 PM

I think I would slowly get it into the shop and get the shaft done right.
And this comeing from someone who drove his truck for 1 1/2 years with only front brakes.

*rage'nrat638* · 09-20-2003, 11:25 PM

ROFLMAF

lukecp · 09-20-2003, 11:29 PM

Yup....i would hesitate to drive it into a shop....just don't go over 10mph.

I have drove my truck 25 miles with a unbalanced driveshaft (i was an idiot and put it together out of phase when switching U-joints). I just took dirt roads and didn't go over 35mph

72c10step · 09-21-2003, 07:59 PM

Yeah, I agree with the others here. Just look at what happens when you make your own driveshaft repairs. This is my friends truck here: Clickey

Longhorn Man · 09-22-2003, 12:44 AM

HOLEY SHNIKEYS!!!!!!!

09-20-2003, 03:36 PM	#1
BookMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA, USA Posts: 9	driveshaft repair I just fixed my broken driveshaft in an interesting way that I thought some of you fellow hillbilly-ers might appreciate. My driveshaft was cut at some point in its life and someone tried to weld it back together. They didn't do a very good job and it broke right at the cut/spot weld. What I did was to go to the hardware store and buy a 4 inch length of 2 inch interior diameter galvanized pipe which fit over the driveshaft perfectly. Then I drilled 2 holes all the way through both the pipe and driveshaft at two different points perpendicular to each other. So that one bolt goes all the way through each end of the broken driveshaft. I don't really think I needed to but then I welded the new pipe to the driveshaft. I haven't actually put it back in yet but it looks strong as hell and I bet its going to work great Granted it won't be balanced but since I intend to change engines and trans soon I think it will be a perfect temporary fix so I can at least get the truck into the shop under its own power.

09-20-2003, 05:20 PM	#4
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I am. Doesn't sound too safe to me. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

09-20-2003, 05:46 PM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I agree with Josh. It should get you home, but I wouldn't drive it too much. I was okay with it until you mentioned the bolts. They'll do their best to vibrate loose. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

09-20-2003, 11:29 PM	#10
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Yup....i would hesitate to drive it into a shop....just don't go over 10mph. I have drove my truck 25 miles with a unbalanced driveshaft (i was an idiot and put it together out of phase when switching U-joints). I just took dirt roads and didn't go over 35mph __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

09-21-2003, 07:59 PM	#11
72c10step WHYBYNU when old will do? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Loudon, NH Posts: 876	Yeah, I agree with the others here. Just look at what happens when you make your own driveshaft repairs. This is my friends truck here: Clickey __________________ -72 Chevy C10 Stepside -2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 -1984 Jeep CJ7 -1995 Polaris XCR600 Custom -2003 Honda 300ex

09-20-2003, 04:37 PM	#2
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	this "shop", is it on your property????

09-20-2003, 05:01 PM	#3
BookMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA, USA Posts: 9	yes but why? Are you sceptical about the fix?

09-20-2003, 06:00 PM	#6
BookMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA, USA Posts: 9	I appreciate your concern. But this is my thinking. A previous owner shortened the front portion of the shaft and only welded it back together in one spot. That lasted for about 3K miles. And - The pipe I used as a patch is at least twice as thick as the tubing of the driveshaft itself so my patch is stronger than the original. And - Worst case scenario the bolts through the shaft break AND the welds break (which seems unlikely) and it comes apart again. That would most likely happen when I'm putting the most torque on the driveline - which would be starting from a stop. So most likely the only thing that would happen would be the short piece of shaft directly behind the trans would spin around bang against the bottom of the cab like it did before. Admittedly the fix is not ideal because of the balance issue but for a savings of $98 its worth a try for a temporary fix. Unless I'm not thinking about it correctly. What do you think?

09-20-2003, 06:04 PM	#7
BookMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA, USA Posts: 9	Maybe you're right about the bolts trying to vibrate loose. I won't be driving it far. I'll be curious to see what they look like when I swap out the trans soon.

09-20-2003, 09:18 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I think I would slowly get it into the shop and get the shaft done right. And this comeing from someone who drove his truck for 1 1/2 years with only front brakes.

09-20-2003, 11:25 PM	#9
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	ROFLMAF

09-22-2003, 12:44 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	HOLEY SHNIKEYS!!!!!!!



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