Ok to drive? Potential to snap off?

I was an idiot and didn't notice a rock on my right. Banged up my driveshaft rod and left a massive gash. Scratched the base of the u joint too.

Drive it back on pavement and the truck is wobbling over 40 mph, no surprise there.

Now, my question is - is it ok to drive this as is 500+ miles back home? Is there a risk of this rod snapping off the joint?

Thanks y'all

 

Basically a way out of balance drive shaft. I'd suspect you'd wear more stuff out by driving it that way. If your truck is 4x4, do you have the means to remove the drive shaft and drive it in front-wheel drive?

 

Break? Probably not unless you are real crazy. Vibrate enough to possible cause damage elsewhere in the drive train? Possibly. Severe vibrations tend to cause damage to the area that quells it because that part isn't supposed to or designed to handle that kind of movement.

 

Happened to a friend of mine. He removed the rear shaft and drove in FWD, though nowhere near 500 miles. I'd be looking for a rental truck to tow it back home.

 

Disconnect and drive in FWD.

 

Perfectly fine to pull the driveshaft and drive it home in FWD. Just be prepared for the truck to handle differently, especially while accelerating.

 

Thanks y'all, disconnecting sounds like the route to go.

I'm not as gear avvy as you guys are, do I just unbolt the driveshaft and then pop in 4WD? It's that simple?

 

Yes, unbolt from both side and toss it in the bed. Pop it in 4wd.

If you're not feeling up to it. Uhaul, Penske, etc...will have a truck/car carrier combo you can rent one way.

 

Thanks that is very much appreciated. Running to the nearest AutoZone to buy a second set of hand tools

 

I'll ask a follow up question if you guys don't mind. Is fixing this as simple as buying a new rod (probably from Toyota) and installing it or does the truck usually need rebalancing after installation?

 

I'd get one from a wrecking yard (other than U-joints, they are not normally wear items). Just be sure the donor truck is the same body style as yours (Reg Cab, Access Cab, Double Cab, Long or Short bed), as there are different length shafts.

Install it & go.

 

Perfect, just a simple installation.

Thanks guys, you all are the best!

 

OP, chock the wheels when removing the DS. Don't let the truck roll away or on top of you.

 

I can assure you I have no first had experience with what happens when you forget to do that..

 

Access cab and DCSB have the same shafts. But, yes, I'd look for a donor from a yard or look in the For Sale section here before buying a new one.

 

May I highly recommend putting the truck into 4wd before removing the rear driveshaft. Apply the parking break when removing the rear driveshaft. You will need to accelerate slower when only driving in front wheel drive. I believe the only tools you should need are 14mm wrench, 14mm socket, ratchet, and extension.

 

If you want a spare, have the original re-tubed once you get the replacement on. Not expensive. That yoke isn't damaged as far as being re-useable.

 

OP, you may be a bit surprised at what Toyota wants for that. They seem to prize them quite highly. A good drive line specialist can take the welds off, weld on a new tube and balance it for far cheaper.

 

I seem to recall it costing around $1000, but that parts quote was 3 or 4 years ago.

 

Be sure to keep the u-joints in phase when working on the replacement shaft.