How to: Reg cab rear driveshaft flip

Many people have experienced a grinding noise from there rear driveshaft after lifting there regular cab. Some have even had it happen to a stock suspension. After reading alot of different threads most people seem to think the noise is coming from the slip yoke on our one piece drive shafts. Even though this is a simple job I thought it may give some the confidence to go ahead and try it.

Tools needed:

Two 14mm wrenches
Cheater bar or breaker bar as the bolts are pretty tight
an extra person makes the job alot easier


Here is a picture of the shaft after it has been flipped with an arrow pointing to the area the noise was coming from.



The above picture is what yours will look like after the flip is done.

1) Begin by blocking your front wheels on level ground and lifting the rear tires off of the ground just enough so they free spin.

2) You can start on either end of the shaft but I chose to start with the transmission end.



3) Begin by loosening each of the four bolts on this side of the shaft. Only two are pictured but the other two are just opposite on the other side of the shaft. It makes it easier to spin the shaft where you want it then lock the parking break to hold it steady. The bolts will stay in place on this end; only the nuts and washer will come off.

4) Now go to the other end and repeat the same process. On this end you will need a wrench on either side so the bolt doesn't spin on you. You will remove the bolts from this end so when you do make sure it doesn't fall off. The shaft is light and can be supported with one hand so don't worry about the weight of it.



5) Once you have everything undone lightly tap the transmission end off with a hammer. Note that the slip yoke will slide in and out allowing you to get the shaft off. Also note that each end of the shaft has a centering hole / set pin in the center of it so you will have to slide the shaft straight out.

6) With the shaft off go ahead and grease the zirk fitting on each U-joint, flip the shaft and repeat all of these steps in reverse and you're done!

Just a few more notes:

All of these pictures were taken after I did the flip but it doesn't change the steps. Sorry if this is confusing.

Don't worry about draining fluids to do any of this as everything stays sealed up.

Be extra careful not too damage the rubber boot over the slip yoke.

I didn't use torque specs. Just tighten it all back up pretty snug and check them again after a day or two.


Again here is the finished product.





Feel free to discuss theories as to why this is happening but here is my theory based on my grandpa's theory.

He seemed to think that the transmission is mounted on some rubber supports or something like that and allows for more vibration at the slip yoke. Basically when you flip it you are putting the yoke on the end that is less prone to any vibrations. Also from reading it seemed like whenever others packed there slip yoke with grease or put in a new driveshaft with new grease the problem stopped only to return when the grease compacted. This theory seems good enough for me but I am interested to here what others think. Also sorry I didn't get better pics but my truck bed was full of snow and when I started working and between a heated shop and all that snow I got a little wet and had to take pics this morning instead.

 

reserved for future use

 

I guess I'm failing to see how that helps? It seems all that would accomplish is moving the noise further back so you don't hear it anymore vs. actually fixing the problem or does putting the slip yolk away from the transmission really eliminate vibes?

 

You are the only person I have heard of doing this. Did it help you any?

 

I don't have a definant answer yet other than my theory. It definately stopped it though. That yoke does have a tiny amount of vertical play in it but again I just don't know for sure.

 

Yes the noise went away completely. There are alot of reg cab guys out there having this problem but the threads never went anywhere so it's probably not documented well. But now it is.

 

I believe this is a different problem than any of the "driveline vibrations" that are being fixed by putting shims in and is only being seen in the reg cab one piece shafts.

 

This is probably a retarded question but does the 2nd gens have a straight drive shaft? And if it does would it fit on a second gen?

 

nice write up op. i am flipping mine this weekend

 

Thanks!

 

would it be possible to change an extended cab to a straight drive shaft?

 

I am almost positive the one piece and two piece driveshafts will not interchange on the 2nd gens. I would imagine the same is true for the 1st gens. What are you trying to accomplish?

 

theres vibration at low speeds and so i think i bent my drive shaft so im wanting to get a heavy duty drive shaft possibly from and older tundra if possible

 

I doubt you would match one up with a different model truck but I''m not sure. I would probably get someone to make you one versus trying to match one. I don't know who or where to go for that but I have seen someone on here mention it. Just search around on driveshaft posts and you will find it.

 

thanks i appreciate it

 

no problem. good luck

 

Nice write up with pictures. However, I have a 1st gen and there is a 2 piece U- joint design (double cardan) on the tranny side and doubt if this is "flip"able? anyone with thoughts on this? I had a 3.5" lift for years on it and just removed it about 5 months ago. Now, I'm getting vibrations in the 72-76 mph range.

 

Couple of nice pics of my truck you got there..
I did this flip about a year and a half ago after i got the vibe from my OME lift.
As I've said in other threads it work at first but the vibes eventually came back and are the same right now as they were before the flip.
Whether or not it will return on every truck flipping there drive shaft ,I dont know. But give it a try thou Id like to see if you get the vibes back eventually or not

 

Will do. I knew someone would claim them soon enough haha. I will post up any changes.