It Begins: Miss Blue

Tried to drop the shaft off this morning but was told they can't balance it without the rest of it, so now I just bought some 1/2" drive extensions so I can try to get the front flange bolts out.

 

^^^This is how I always replaced mine on the trail. I have several rear sections balanced and marked with one front this last time. Although I never had any balance issues before either.

Also if any of you guys are looking for some driveshafts I have a few that I am not using post SAS. Two retubed rear sections (rear flage to slip yoke), one more thats ready for a retube, and two-front sections (tcase flange to carrier bearing to slip yoke), one needs a carrier bearing. PM me.

Sorry for the jack :/

 

Glad to hear that's how you changed them out. I'm hoping to end up buying a rear section from you to be able to do that if I ever damage this section that's getting re tubed

Yea that's why I got a 1/2" drive extension so I can use a breaker bar or my cordless impact. Picked up a 1/2" drive wobble extension and a universal joint too incase I can't get a straight shot at it.

 

If you're taking you'rs in for a retube and balance now would be the time to grab a spare and have it balanced to your front section as well. All they would do is change/move the weights on this section of shaft.

Then they mark them for alignment. Bend/dent one, remove, line up marks and slide the new one on and dont even have to worry about vibes.

Down the road if you want it balanced you will need to remove the front again if you want them balanced together.

 

Yea it would be nice if it was able to work out that way, but I decided to get the shaft re tubed before a wheeling trip this weekend. Next time I have to pull the whole shaft it won't be as bad as this time.. Just needs some anti sieze when I bolt it back up.

I'm curious what its going to cost too, and I'm guessing I don't really have the coin to get a spare shaft made up right now.

 

No antiseize. They are not seized, they are installed with loctite. I would highly suggest reinstalling them in the same fashion.

Retube and balance costs me $140. He balance my spare rear to the assembly I had made for an additional $5.

 

Eh, no threadlocker needed so long as they're well torqued.

 

Up here anti seize is needed

 

Well u dont live on the water
And u dont use truck much
But where im from u use anti seize on every freakin thing

 

I just use the german tq wrench on em. Never had a problem.

 

I'd be really happy if its that little, but I have a feeling it'll be closer to the $300 that this guy V just spent to get his retubed

X10. No fucking way will you get any bolt out that's been sitting for more than a few months if you don't use it. (Around here atleast)

 

And every month through salt water puddles
Many many trips up to vt skiing ect
Hell just the wind blows salt water spray all over all the time
We dont live in a desert here

 

And josh my driveshaft was not just a retube
I had all 3 ujoints replaces and had a wookie bearing installed

 

I just got the truck back from my alignment guy (who is a goddamn wizard) with these specs:

Caster
L +2.25 R +1.25

Camber
L 0.00 R -0.05

Toe
L +0.01 R +0.01



And the truck drives like a dream. I would've never thought caster that low would handle well at all. It's fantastic. That and a good wheel balance and this bitch rides like glass now.

My dude does it old school though. The computer says what it says, but the test drive is the final word.

 

I need to find a local alignment shop that still does it old school

 

It's a good thing to do. Bushings deflect with rolling resistance, moreso with large tires. This can alter alignment angles when you're doing 60 as opposed to the truck not in motion.

A good alignment should give you straight tracking no matter what.

 

I have lifetime with Firestone but their quality can be sub-par at times. At least there I can take it back until they get it right

 

It depends. That last town I lived in the dude at my local Firestone had 16 years of alignment experience, most of it at a custom shop in Cali lining up shit that was lifted 8, 10, 14 inches or more. He was awesome. Some of them, however, are completely worthless.

I had to shop around in my new town. I've been here two years and just found my current shop a few months ago. A definite cut above the rest around here. Finding a new mechanic is the worst part of moving.

 

That's the truth. I've had the same service writer and mechanic at the dealership back home since I bought my car. I still drive the 4+ hours home when I need anything other than an oil change

 

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