Drive shaft yoke splines have play..repairable?

[Spanky Pete]

Like the title says, my front dirve shaft has a lot of play in the yoke splines. The play is such that when installed on the truck I can push up on the middle of the drive shaft and feel/hear it move at the yoke.

Can a good shop repair that, or should I pick up a good used DS?

 

[Spanky Pete]

Sounds like it is repairable...for $200! First place I called quoted me that if i brought the DS in in-hand all cleaned up. I think I will just look for a good used DS. Or just live with the clunk.

 

[fliphkd778]

Have you tried adding grease to the shaft via the zerk?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Any drive line shop can swap in a new splined section. $200 would be a lot, since for $200, you can get a long travel kit put in your driveline.

 

[Spanky Pete]

Have you tried adding grease to the shaft via the zerk?

Yeah, I added some grease to the zerk, felt like quite a lot, but I stopped short of having the grease ooze out of the plug or the splines. I have heard overfilling the splines can lead to problems in the transfer and diff.

Anyway, grease might have helped a little, but there is still play.

cruiser drew, the second place I called said $225, and that $75 of that is labor the remainder is parts price for new spline section.

 

[IH8Wood]

I'd look for used front drive shaft. Usually the front is in great shape because of limited use. I'm surprised that your's is worn.

 

[Spanky Pete]

Yeah, used one is looking like a good option, as long as one comes up locally.

I'm surprised that your's is worn.

I did have my rear drive shaft out for a month and just used 4 hi to get front wheel drive. Left the rear DS out while I towed the rig from Texas to Oregon on a front wheel tow dolley. I am not sure either of these contributed to the spline wear.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Yeah, used one is looking like a good option, as long as one comes up locally.



I did have my rear drive shaft out for a month and just used 4 hi to get front wheel drive. Left the rear DS out while I towed the rig from Texas to Oregon on a front wheel tow dolley. I am not sure either of these contributed to the spline wear.

Remember the splines wear even if not turning. As the suspension cycles,t he splines move in and out. That's why they still need to be regularly lubed.

 

[lehiguy]

It may be a long shot and would involve some UPS work, but try Eric at the Six States driveline shop in Salt Lake City. (approx. 1380 S. 300 W) I have been going there for years, Kurt of Cruiser Outfitters fame gets things done there as well. Very competitive prices, great work.