Front Drive Line: Better to Rebuild or Replace - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MyMach5 · 09-14-2009, 10:29 AM

My front drive line has about 1/8" of play in the middle joint (the one that allows it to extend with suspension travel...sorry don't know the name of the joint). I'm getting a pretty good vibration in 4x4 and I'm guessing this is the cause. So, I have a couple questions:

1. Is there a significant advantage to replacing the drive line with a new one rather than rebuilding the existing one?

2. I just put a 4" lift on the truck. If I'm going to replace/rebuild the drive line, would it make sense to have it lengthened to match the lift?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Mudder · 09-14-2009, 10:57 AM

Take it to a drive shaft shop and let them rebuild it. They can lengthen it really easy then. Make sure you measure a couple of times to let them know what you need.

MyMach5 · 09-14-2009, 11:38 AM

Right on. Thanks. I think we have a couple of reputable places here in Portland. I'll give them a call.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 09-15-2009, 07:24 AM

I would rebuild too. Much cheaper.
With the driveshaft off the truck, measure from the center line of the front u joint cap on the front diff, to the center line of the rear joint at the transfer case. Give them the old shaft with the new measurement and then go home and fix other stuff till its ready.

MyMach5 · 09-15-2009, 01:11 PM

How did you know there was other stuff to fix

09-14-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
MyMach5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 44	Front Drive Line: Better to Rebuild or Replace My front drive line has about 1/8" of play in the middle joint (the one that allows it to extend with suspension travel...sorry don't know the name of the joint). I'm getting a pretty good vibration in 4x4 and I'm guessing this is the cause. So, I have a couple questions: 1. Is there a significant advantage to replacing the drive line with a new one rather than rebuilding the existing one? 2. I just put a 4" lift on the truck. If I'm going to replace/rebuild the drive line, would it make sense to have it lengthened to match the lift? Thanks in advance for the help.

09-14-2009, 10:57 AM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Front Drive Line: Better to Rebuild or Replace Take it to a drive shaft shop and let them rebuild it. They can lengthen it really easy then. Make sure you measure a couple of times to let them know what you need.

09-14-2009, 11:38 AM	#3
MyMach5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 44	Re: Front Drive Line: Better to Rebuild or Replace Right on. Thanks. I think we have a couple of reputable places here in Portland. I'll give them a call.

09-15-2009, 07:24 AM	#4
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Front Drive Line: Better to Rebuild or Replace I would rebuild too. Much cheaper. With the driveshaft off the truck, measure from the center line of the front u joint cap on the front diff, to the center line of the rear joint at the transfer case. Give them the old shaft with the new measurement and then go home and fix other stuff till its ready. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

09-15-2009, 01:11 PM	#5
MyMach5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 44	Re: Front Drive Line: Better to Rebuild or Replace How did you know there was other stuff to fix



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