Driveshaft is out, should i balance it?

[JointTech]

i pulled the 2 rear shafts out to replace the ujoints and driveshaft carrier bearing. Im going to take it to the parts store to have them push out the ujoints since I dont have a c-clamp... And I have a girly vice that doesnt open enough.
But I was thinking while i had them out, should I have them rebalanced?
What's it normally cost? How long does it take? Im excited to put this thing back together and finally have confidence to romp on it without something falling off.

[MikeyMan]

I would recommend having the shafts checked and balanced.
In the past, I used to let the parts store press on the the U.J.s and carrier bearing. Now I take my stuff to the driveline shop that's conveniently only a mile from my house. They inspect the shafts carefully, press on the new parts correctly, and will do balancing. I don't remember the cost, and the turnaround depends on how busy they are. I'll usually leave my stuff for the day. In fact, I don't bother pulling the shafts myself if the truck is driveable. When my carrier bearing started to go bad last time, I just left them the truck and they only charged like $30 more for pulling the shafts. No busted knuckles, No rust in my eye, plus it was raining and it saved me an hour or two of my time.

You don't want to invest time and new parts to possibly end up with a vibration or future failure. Sucks re-doing any job. Get it balanced too, that way you have a smooth ride and peace of mind.

[JointTech]

Well I live about 2 miles from OC Drivelines. Maybe ill give them a call in the morning.

[specialtyretail]

Money well spent...

[gcburdic]

I had new u-joints installed then had balanced for $100 (that was in 2006 though)

[JointTech]

driveline inc says $120 if they can use the u joints i already bought.

[JointTech]

well i guess its good i brought it over for them to look at.
The shaft that goes to the carrier bearing is completely worn out so they have to cut it off and put a new end on.
$370ish for everything including u-joints/bearing.

[MikeyMan]

Ouch!

Better to find out now and have it fixed right. I've broken U.J.s and carrier brackets, and it sucks getting stuck somewhere. I've been towed, and I've done repairs on my back in the street. I was fortunate to not cause other damage.

Ever see a driveshaft break in a moving vehicle? It's scary!

[JointTech]

lots of slapping and banging. that will give you monkey butt for sure.
They had some crazy pictures there and some old peices laying around that looks twisted and destroyed. scarey stuff.

[gcburdic]

One of the "might as wells" that'll pay off in the end....just curious, would you have a source where you may be able to find a good use one and save some cash?

[JointTech]

i could go junk yard diving but I was never a fan of pick a part, and im scared of snakes. Im kind of a puss.
Anyway Wade just called me. Drive shaft is ready to go a few hours early.

[aggieguy713]

Good call for having it checked...when i had mine checked i ended up having to get a new driveshaft...found out mine was so warped it could have snapped any time.

[JointTech]

they even painted it and the weld on that thing is amazing. no grinder and looks like butter. new spicer joints.
Put it back in and shes on the road. No more wobble!!
I even stomped on it a little and it felt solid. woohoo. i can now go to home depot and get baseboards...

[jocko]

Originally Posted by JointTech

i could go junk yard diving but I was never a fan of pick a part, and im scared of snakes. Im kind of a puss.
Anyway Wade just called me. Drive shaft is ready to go a few hours early.

Dude, you are cracking me up!! Three cheers for brutal honesty... I HATE snakes too - when I junkyard dive it's in the mojave desert, and the snakes up here pretty much suck. Gives me the willys...

[50bomb]

AAwww if i would of known I could of made a deal with you. I took the front one off mine because I needed a longer front driveshaft for the th350 i put in my truck.

[JointTech]

Originally Posted by 50bomb

AAwww if i would of known I could of made a deal with you. I took the front one off mine because I needed a longer front driveshaft for the th350 i put in my truck.

dang you are right up the road.

"snakes, why does it have to be snakes"
I hear about rattlers around here but i havent seen one yet.

[50bomb]

Yea I hear ya. Snakes suck but I hear they taste damn good. I got a rattler tail from a old timer sometime ago. Love makin that rattler noise.