How to realign drive shaft center joint

So the center bearing went out on my 96 x cab, and I decided to replace it using the guide here on Tacoma world. The problem is, the shaft is fairly rusty, and I used a bunch of pb blaster to get the bolts loose, and the spay washed all my marks away. Stupid I know. The two pieces are still attached at the transfer case and diff, it’s just the flange to the front section, and flange to flange that I need to re align.

I noticed inside the flange and spline in the front drive shaft there are two notches that look like they’re for alignment. Is that what they’re for? Where do I start?



Thanks!

 

I don't think those are for alignment. You got a 50% chance of getting it right. If it is vibration free, you are good.

 

Could you expound a bit? What do you mean that I have a 50% chance of getting it right?

 

Look at the grease/grime telltales on the flange. Half are concave, the other half flat. So make that match. If you get vibes, redo it at 180 degrees.

 

Exactly. Thanks for clearing up my terse post. I was in a hurry. sorry for confusion.

 

Yeah I understand that, but I also have the flange to mount back onto the front half of the drive shaft. That’s 23 wrong splines, right?

 

As long as the U joints cups lineup you are fine.

 

You're over-thinking this.
If you have a splined shaft that isn't keyed, you just put the flange back on that shaft. Anyone of the possible positions will work as well as the next.

Then you get to the issue of bolting two flanges together. There could be some slight differences there and that's the reason you ideally mark the parks before disassembly. You already have the solution there and the prior poster hit that nail on the head. You have two possible likely positions and if you guess wrong, the other one is 180 degrees out of phase.

 

So the two sections of the shaft can’t get out of phase?

Or am I getting completely mixed up?

 

You got two different questions there.
"Yeah I understand that, but I also have the flange to mount back onto the front half of the drive shaft. That’s 23 wrong splines, right?"

The first question about the flanges was answered in post #4, you have two chances - correct or 180 degrees out.

The second question about returning a flange to a splined shaft I answered in post # 8, -if there's no keyway, just put the flange back on the shaft, it doesn't matter how it goes back on.

 

Perfect, thank you.

 

I'm going crazy about this I had a vibration I've been through hell how is it possible to align a two-piece three joint drive shaft where the end of number one shaft and number two shaft both have an end or supposed to be parallel explain this to me you got one top of a you got the little tea the yolk straight up and down on the first one on the front straight up and down on the back of the first one so how are you supposed to have on the second one straight up and down on the front and straight up and down in the rear it's physically impossible and everything keeps explaining if there's all are supposed to be parallel explaining I can't get this to my head it's pissing me off I didn't I had it marked but it got wiped off and this has been like I'm going to blow my fucking brains out I was put hundreds into this just someone show me a photo all I need is a fucking photo from a transmission how it's flanges a correlated to the very back differentials and how each four points on a two piece shaft is every explanation explains it that all of them are in phase on Parallel that's four of them you can't do it so why is it not explained that and separate different shafts on different phases and not aligned on Parallel they're different one don't want the other but yeah it still got vibrations that's not right and give a fuck about the phasing I don't give a fuck about no God damn angles I want to know the position that's it the position that's what it's all about everything stop then change no lift high lift this is fucking there I just need the fucking position no angles the fucking angles going already fucking location is

 

In an attempt to help and if my undersatnding of your question is incorrect I appologize... it is one long, run on sentence.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/driveshaft-phasing-question.783927/

 

Bro you gotta go back to second grade and learn how to write. Christ. Also, if you’re working on a 3rd Gen Tacoma try posting in that section. You’re in the 1st Gen forum.

 

Wow.

Professional help may be in order here.

Both for the truck and you.

Best wishes for your success!

 

Plenty profanity but not a single period

 

Oh noes he pregnant.

 

I suggest you find a Factory Service Manual for your year and model.

Because this is the 1st gen forum, here is the FSM diagram showing the correct phasing and assembly of the 1st gen 4wd drive shafts (note the zerk fittings):