DriveShaft Question

Hello all member here!
I have a question, I took My Drive shaft off today and took it to a local Driveline Shop. I was going to get the U-joint replace as well as the Carrier. But one of the techs told me I am better off buying a whole new driveshaft which will cost me about 750$.

I have a 2004 Tacoma 4WD 6cyl double cab with about 275k on the car. do you think I can get away with just replacing the joints and carrier? or getting a new driveshaft is the best way to go thanks ahead!

 

Is the driveshaft rusted badly or damaged or something? Seems odd they'd recommend to replace it entirely unless it was in real bad shape.

 

https://youtu.be/5gOeBE-ylQw
Here's a video on how to do U joints. It's not for our trucks but should be very similar.

https://youtu.be/Wdw29gYGw-w
Here's a carrier bearing replacement for a 1st gen.

What I'm wondering is, is there some form of damage to the driveshaft that is making him recommend a full replacement? If so, then it might be a good idea. I'd find out the exact reason behind it. If he says it's just for the u joints and carrier bearing, it wouldn't be worth the full replacement.

 

hmmm well he didn't say anything about driveshaft being damage, he just recommended due to age and high miles. how long can these driveshaft last before replacing it? thanks!

 

Lol sounds like they just want you to spend more money with them. Age and high mileage mean nothing to a driveshaft except replacing the joints and carrier bearing when needed. I would take it elsewhere or do the work yourself if you can

 

Thanks for the answers! I think ill just replace the u joints and carrier. Thanks for the videos as well

 

That's the shadiest thing I have heard all day. I would never go back to that shop and tell everybody I know they try to rip people off. The only wear items are the U-joints and carrier bearing. The rest of the driveshaft is just a hunk of steel it will last forever under normal driving conditions

 

Is perhaps your double cardan joint bad? If so, I can maybe see why they would recomend replacing the whole thing. No, actually still can't see replacing the whole thing, but it would be a much bigger job if the double cardan joint needs to be replaced.

 

$750.00 ?? This may be new ? You can find used drive shafts at yards that specialize in Toyotas, for a fraction of that price. Check out these guys on E-Bay, then call them up.
Plenty of used and like new driveshafts, driveline products. You should research "axle wrap", also for these Tacomas. Here is a post below from another forum on this, may not apply to your problem, worth a look.

stoystownautowreckers (4620)
99% positive feedback

The axle wrap is why you get the drive line clunk... (though it may be mild)... Unless yer joints are bad or you are not lubing shaft up properly... It's the slip yoke shaft making that noise as the pinion changes angle and then snaps back after the load is released... that's why it happens when you are coming to a stop and your off the throttle... the springs are flexing or mildly wrapping under torque load... Wheel hop is the of what happens...

 

THIS. Where are the Ujoints @in_a_coma ? In this assembly?



If so, they cant replace the u joints as the U joints are SUPER hard to get and would need special equipment to remove. These joints are Crimped in there from the factory so most shops cant do it at all so you would have to buy a new shaft. Spicer makes an aftermarket replacement that can be welded on with replaceable ujoints. Paid around 400 for parts and labor.

 

Sounds like some up selling to me.

Unless the tube is bent or twisted you park the truck in a liquid brine bath it can be rebuilt as often as you want.

Mine is 19 years old

$750.00 Maybe find another drive line shop Then pretty much Walk ins any where are raped!

Your driveshaft would have to be completely destroyed not to just cut it apart replace the tube and install u-joints and rebuild the cardan joint.

I have had quite a few rebuilt over the years

 

Depending on your miles, my driveshaft gave up at 560,000 miles.

Double cardan joint was going out and slip joint was going out too, clunking.
I figured it was time to have everything new instead of fixing the
old shaft. Cost me around 580.00 for the drive shaft made with
Spicer joints that are now replaceable