Double Cardan joint

Anybody know the ujoint size or part number for the old outside clip style? Mine does not have the center ball in the center just the joints??? I've got an 02 tacoma 4x4 ext cab 2.7 4cyl

 

They came from the factory with DC joints. DC = u-joint, ball, u-joint. If it is otherwise then it was replaced by a driveline shop. Frankly I don't see how it could work. Got a good pic?
The only setup's I have seen like that are "CV" joints on inboard/outboard (sterndrive) boat engines.

 

The 'older' style has the internal c-clips. My '04 had the external snap ring. Honestly, your best bet is to find one at a junk yard/pick-n-pull and go from there. Entire driveshafts can be had for $20.

 

The shop is just 20 minutes north of me, what luck!! I am strongly considering going with their driveline now instead of dealing with the DC. Thanks

 

Like @Dirty Pool mentioned a few posts ago wouldnt a single piece drive shaft potentially cause issues? Like increased vibs since the angles are now much more extreme and especially if its in a lifted rig? Just trying to educate myself here with what the pros to having a one piece shaft would be.

 

Sounds like a no brainer to me. I sent you a pm with some questions recently. Ignore that if you want to. I will report back if I talk with the shop.

 

Let's assume a DC joint is bad and causing vibrations, cause if it's not it won't, there's other issues.

For a fix, let's see. 2 u-joints for $80 or less and some labor, yours or a shops. Or have an entire custom shaft made in exchange for your first male child. Not to mention lowering your ground clearance with a more delicate shaft that is inherently less resistant to abuse.

This is a good read, happens to be from Tom Woods. http://www.4xshaft.com/driveline101.asp
Don't get put off by the 8th grade math, if you are, skip it and keep reading. Just don't skip this part.
"The real benefit to a C. V. (double cardan) drive shaft is smoother operation at higher operating angles and longer life."

Countless folks with SAS 1st gens running ride heights in excess of any IFS rig still retain the DC shaft, and like it.

 

Ots the increased angles im curious about, i know it would be balanced...but it seems negligible.

 

This helped me visualize what Tom Woods was talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmV4qwLfOMY

 

Where can I find the center ball and rebuild kit? I didnt grease it and the needles in the ball were destroyed. I know I can find the u joints

 

There were 2 different ball kits with no definitive year/model application (for the Tacoma), you will need to do some measuring. Neapco is the only company I know of that make them, there may be others. Contacting a driveline shop may be some help for "local" availability or interchange.
My 99 used the 7-0409 ball kit. In the links below "ball diameter" refers to the O.D. of the ball race not the actual ball. "stud bore" refers to the diameter of the stud shaft or the I.D. of the hole inside the needles.

Neapco catalog below, page 9-3. Be warned the catalog is a huge (valuable) reference, it can be tedious to navigate. Neapco also has more catalogs online that are more general. None of them will list a Tacoma application.
http://neapcocomponents.com/pdf/2015_Driveline_Catalog_9901153.pdf

Other Neapco catalog. Use the "by product" tab then select "Double Cardan Ball Seat Repair kit".
http://neapco.mycarparts.net/

 

Thanks this helps a ton.

 

This may be old news by now, but thought I would share some information about about the Matsuba U-Joints.

Jessie at High Angle Driveline has the Matsuba U-Joints for the Land Cruiser double cardan joints for $42 each. I don't know if they are the same as the Tacoma DC U-joints or not, but thought I'd let folks know in case it might be helpful. BTW, I'm not affiliated with High Angle in any way. Actually I'm building a stretched BJ40 but hey, they're both Toyota's right?

Cheers, Allen

 

Does anybody have any ideas on how to get the aftermarket seal on top of the ball mine wont stay

 

following!!!!!!!!! awesome looking write up. My Joint is totally screwed and saw some guys online disassemble them without too much trouble but trying to find the replacement parts was killing me! but question I have some brute force u joints and moog u joints that came with the tacoma i am working on an 03. Are those acceptable Joints? I saw you calling out some specific ones in the thread....I understand I will need to order the ball socket style joint special.

Thanks!

 

An 03 should have the "outside clip" style. Check what style yours is before going any further and read post #10 again.

Around the time of the write up this applied.
"The only known replacement joint for the outside clip type. 1.065" cap
Rockford Drive Line-#2540 The DC looks like the pic at the very end of the write-up and seems to be more prevalent on after 99 shafts".

 

The u joint I pulled ( of the Cardan joint) out had inside clips, I didn't realize the joint was special until I disassembled. Blows my mind you can't even buy the joints from Toyota. Currently looking at picking up a rear shaft vs replacing benefits. We shall see....biggest worry is ordering the wrong parts but gonna talk to some local shops to see if they are any help I would prefer to do the work myself .... My center joint was roasted and the u joint was in bad shape. Now I know why the guy didn't have it replaced :/

 

I have a 2001 4 cyl regular cab 2.7 engine automatic prerunner. Had a vibration. Took driveshaft out. While taking one of the double u joints out the thing came apart at the centering ball. What part number do i need to repair this? I dont have $1300 for a new driveshaft and i cant find a used driveshaft. Two drivetrain places said its not repairable. I cant see why not. Any help appreciated.

 

The double cardan joints are considered 'non-serviceable'. There isn't a part number(s) available for that section, unfortunately. Used ones are out there. Or you can have one built by a reputable company like High Angle Driveline.

Here's one -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/95-04-Toyota-Tacoma-Regular-Cab-4x2-Automatic-Rear-Drive-Shaft-Oem/332137676441?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=20150313114020&meid=3c4a84f553c54d648859febec4e24ff0&pid=100338&rk=1&rkt=30&sd=332160128430&_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726

I don't see a double cardan on it, however. Are you sure you have a double cardan? 2 U-joints on one side of the driveshaft.

 

Not all driveline shops are created equal.
Some reg cabs did come with a 1 piece DC shaft. You will have to measure the "stud shaft" or "pin" diameter to determine the replacement.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/double-cardan-joint.273119/page-3#post-12199669