New front drive shaft?

Noticed today I had a bad u joint on my front driveshaft, so naturally I picked up a new one at Napa and proceeded to install. Pressed out the old one, dropped in the new one and noticed I could freely press one of the cups in by hand...all other fit snug as the should've. I'm guessing the joke is shot... Any way to repair or will I need to replace? Quick look on eBay has used ones listed for around $100... Any difference between the auto trans and manual drive shaft? Thanks for the input!

 

I can't answer your MT vs. AT question but i can tell you there are at least two different lengths. I got one for my 4x4 conversion that ended up being 2" too long. Not sure what it was from but there are more than one style out there.

 

I just noticed a nice half moon piece of metal shaving on my garage floor... must have happened when I was pressing that cup back out to remove, the OEM joints were TIGHT. I had three different spare moogs laying around and tried all cups... they were all loose in the pocket... Damn! I think I'm just gonna bight the bullet and eat the $100 on used shaft and rebuild with Spicer's. I wasn't exactly happy with how whimpy the C-clips were that came with the one's from Napa.

After some digging there's def a difference, so I made sure to specify for manual tranny

 

New shaft came in... Just in time... Cause that loose bearing cap scared me... Only thing holding it is the c clip. The "new" one is in real good condition as well, so good I may not even mess with the joints that are in there. I mean I can't say how many miles are on them, but they are tight and smooth, so I see no reason to replace until there's an issue, what you guys think? I packed with new red n tacky, and what came out looked like pretty fresh grease.

 

I got a new driveshaft with Spicer joints here.
It also shows all the difference lengths Formthe different applications


https://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/Toyota_Tacoma_Driveshaft_1997.php

 

I'm betting it was the crap parts store u joint that was causing the cup to feel loose. Next time get a matsuba brand from low range offroad, those are the Japan made OEM joint and way batter than what you can get from the parts store including the spicers. As for the the new shaft, if they feel good, just pump them full of grease and use them.