Lost my rear drive shaft

C6c6s

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Aug 9, 2020
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55
Location
Binghamton NY
As mentioned earlier in another thread I dropped my rear drive shaft in the middle of the road today. So a lot of reading later, I have to ask, what am I getting into? I see that one of the u joint straps broke and caused the failure. Couldn’t get a pic because it’s pouring and too dark. Can this be a diy project? Is balancing somewhat easy or am I better off at a shop? Any specific upgrades I should do while it’s out? The po added the 4.5 lift and I don’t believe did any driveline mods.

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What are you asking? How to change the U-joint? Pretty simple to do.
No doubt lots of how to's on u-toob.

Asking what to do so it doesn't happen again? Couldn't tell ya. lol
 
I’m on u tube as we speak. The balancing I’m not getting... yet. And basically just advice. Uncharted territory for me.
 
A 4.5" lift with no drive line mods like in SYE? Likely asking for trouble there. I see a ding in the DS and maybe that all the damage it suffered. Put in new U joints and reinstall it and see how it does. Put the rear diff up on jack stands and in idle and 1st while under it run a stationary pointer or something in the middle and then ends if the DS and check if it appears bent or has mass runout. I cant imaging a vibeless ride even before it came apart with your lift but who knows. The balancing thing... I seen folks use 2 hose clamps with the screw ends together and then work then apart in differing directions to get the vibes out. Seems like PITA and a shop would be advised to save time and headaches with trueness and balance.
 
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Thank you for the advice. I found out my daughters boyfriend can balance it at his fathers truck repair shop. So that’s good. I’m leaning toward getting a u bolt yoke conversion. The strap bolt is broke off too far down to get a hold of it and I don’t trust my drilling. Not much room for error. Reading up on them now. Need to take off for a week so I guess this all have to wait until I get back
 
A 4.5" lift with no drive line mods like in SYE? Likely asking for trouble there. I see a ding in the DS and maybe that all the damage it suffered. Put in new U joints and reinstall it and see how it does. Put the rear diff up on jack stands and in idle and 1st while under it run a stationary pointer or something in the middle and then ends if the DS and check if it appears bent or has mass runout. I cant imaging a vibeless ride even before it came apart with your lift but who knows. The balancing thing... I seen folks use 2 hose clamps with the screw ends together and then work then apart in differing directions to get the vibes out. Seems like PITA and a shop would be advised to save time and headaches with trueness and balance.
Not sure how he was getting away with it, unless just slow speeds around town.
I had to go SYE and CVs for a 2-1/2".
Though there are tricks, some cheesy (like t-case lowering kits), some unavoidable.
Had the latter in a '43, but it was a 12" long, 2 piece DS, and not long enough for a CV.
Solution was unplugging the slip and clocking the U-joints 90 degrees "Out of Phase".
Served me many years after that, and on the interstate. Who knew?
 
Thank you for the advice. I found out my daughters boyfriend can balance it at his fathers truck repair shop. So that’s good. I’m leaning toward getting a u bolt yoke conversion. The strap bolt is broke off too far down to get a hold of it and I don’t trust my drilling. Not much room for error. Reading up on them now. Need to take off for a week so I guess this all have to wait until I get back
Drop $60-70 bucks on the yoke and U-bolts.
If the tube is dinged it will eventually "wind up" like a tube of toothpaste, the factory used very thin tubing.
Take the shaft to a reputable shop and see if they say it needs to be re-tubed.
 
Drop $60-70 bucks on the yoke and U-bolts.
If the tube is dinged it will eventually "wind up" like a tube of toothpaste, the factory used very thin tubing.
Take the shaft to a reputable shop and see if they say it needs to be re-tubed.
Unphased it and it was good? hum, never tried that one. Many years ago...not to date myself here, I had a couple old dodge vans. Them buzzards ran a ball and trunion type U joint. Seems id burn up them every couple months with it jacked up in the back and some nice wide BFG 50ies.
 
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Unphased it and it was good? hum, never tried that one. Many years ago...not to date myself here, I had a couple old dodge vans. Them buzzards ran a ball and trunion type U joint. Seems id burn up them every couple months with it jacked up in the back and some nice wide BFG 50ies.
Yup, un-phased. I admit, it was a shot in the dark, but it worked...
 
I’m back. Time to address the issue. Didn’t realize what a simple process it really is. I guess the only real bitch is going to be getting the broken bolt out. But hopefully not. Now, about the lift they put on. Here’s what’s under there. Looks stock to me. I’m lucky if I ever get to hit 50 mph. Just an around town ride. Other than a sye that was mentioned do I really have anything else to worry about?

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5E97B2B7-264E-4EAA-9049-C3DA6623F9FD.jpeg
 
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I’m back. Time to address the issue. Didn’t realize what a simple process it really is. I guess the only real bitch is going to be getting the broken bolt out. But hopefully not. Now, about the lift they put on. Here’s what’s under there. Looks stock to me. I’m lucky if I ever get to hit 50 mph. Just an around town ride. Other than a sye that was mentioned do I really have anything else to worry about?

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I'd still replace the yoke, if you decide not to, you DO need to replace the bolts AND the straps with new ones.
But it looks like you'll be doing that anyway.
 
Yeah, straps and bolts are a given. I will be replacing the yoke but for the moment I just need it back on the road ASAP so new U joints, throw shaft back on and get it balanced. Upgrade later
 
Hell of a time trying to get that broken bolt out so ended up just taking to shop. $160 later everything taken care of and back on the road.
 
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