We here at Midwest Driveshaft would like to clear up a few things. We’ve been monitoring this thread for a while, and would like to voice our side of the story.
John Genslinger brought us two used Toyota 4X4 front driveshafts to modify for his custom 4X4 on 10/8/2008. John requested that we do a special modification with both shafts. Basically John requested Midwest Driveshaft INC. combine components from both Toyota driveshafts that he supplied. John told us that it was for personal off road use, “Rock Crawling”. He told us it had to be “strong and the right length” (for his custom vehicle). After we inspected his driveshafts we found them to be very sloppy.
We explained that we had concerns about the conditions of his driveshafts and components. John’s splines and U-Joints had sloppy end plan and runout up to .040 that would affect the quality, trueness, and balance of the finished shaft.
John explained to us again that he was not concerned about vibration because it was a Rock Crawler, and that all that mattered to him is that it would be strong, and that it wouldn’t break. We said that we would guarantee that it wouldn’t break, but we would not warranty this setup for vibration. After trying to convince John several times to spend the extra money to do the job the correct way, with new high quality parts, we finally deferred to his experience with Rock Crawling, and with what he had communicated was his special application.
When John picked the shaft up he was very pleased and assured us that the vehicle would only be used for rock crawling and not for street use.
John called us several times about the vibration in his shaft when driving around on the street. We told him each time to bring the shaft back in, and we would check the shaft and balance free of charge. John never brought the shaft back in.
Well, let me be the first to welcome Midwest Drive Shaft to ih8mud. I am honestly glad Midwest Drive Shaft chimed in, the most frustrating part of this situation was the communication. Midwest Drive Shaft was unable to understand my application, and never wanted to listen to me. Rather, Midwest Drive Shaft was more concerned about convinceing me of their great abilities.
I am a very reasonable guy, and this is a hobby for me. I do it for fun. I love forming relationships and friendships through this hobby with vendors and wheelers. EVERYONE on this board who knows me, knows that I am not the kind of guy to go these great lengths over $120.00 for nothing. And it that it takes extreem circumstances and personal insult for me to make these efforts.
Unfortunatly, I am upset to see MANY untrue statements above. However, it was many months ago, and perhaps Midwest Drive Shaft is just a little hazy. Hopefully, I can help Midwest Drive Shaft remember how events truely transpired.
DRIVE SHAFT "SLOP"
There was no slop in the drive shaft components, nor did Midwest Drive Shaft inform me of any such slop. As everyone here knows I wouldnt make a drive shaft out of sub par parts. Driveshaft Unlimited balanced the very same components with out issue, and I have been running them for months. I have documents/statements from Drive shaft Unlimited confirming my claims of Midwest Drive Shaft's incompetence in this matter.
Midwest Drive Shaft did, however, express concern about the materials used. Specifically the tubing. Midwest Drive Shaft, clearly had MAJOR concerns about the .090" wall tubing being too thick. I tried to explain that while it may be foreign to Midwest Drive Shaft it is "industry standard" minimum in off roading. This debate went on for some time.
"TRYING TO CONVINCE ME TO SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY TO BUILD THE SHAFT RIGHT"
Midwest Drive Shaft offered "stonger alternatives." Such as a cabon drive shaft or an aluminum drive shaft. I tried to explain that, "this shaft needs to have impact strength not torsional strength." But, again, Midwest Drive Shaft was unwilling to consider my input, and explained that, "any real 4x4 has a skid plate to protect the drive shaft." At that point I recognized that I was dealing with a driveshaft shop that was unable to relate to the 4x4 comunity.
Once I installed the drive shaft and found it to be VERY out of balance I contacted Midwest Drive Shaft. I requested a free rebalance for which I PAID for. Midwest Drive Shaft, refused to work on the shaft. At that point Midwest Drive Shaft became very aggressive and frustrated with the situation, and arguement ensued and Midwest Drive Shaft stated, "life is too short" and hung up the phone.
Again, those of you who know me, know that it takes an extreem situation for me to go to these lengths. I hope Midwest Drive Shaft and I can strike up a civil dialog.
