Rear Driveshaft Question

[128keaton]

Today (finally) my new rear driveshaft came!

Quick question, though, if anyone knows. How would I make sure that I install this one correctly? The parts guy was trying to tell me that I need to make sure not to install it 180* out. Would I just go by the grease-sert on the current driveshaft?

 

[Ayune]

Take pics of the current install, and mark the flanges (xfer case output & rear diff input) to make sure both are positioned the same when you install the new shaft. And put the new zerks in the same orientation as the old ones. Not much else you can mess up.

 

[128keaton]

Take pics of the current install, and mark the flanges (xfer case output & rear diff input) to make sure both are positioned the same when you install the new shaft. And put the new zerks in the same orientation as the old ones. Not much else you can mess up.

Right. Perfect! Thanks!

 

[AlpineAccess]

This is confusing. What does the part guy mean?

It is possible to install the shaft backwards, if that is what he was getting at.

Otherwise, it's a balanced shaft with four bolt holes in each flange.

 

[128keaton]

This is confusing. What does the part guy mean?

It is possible to install the shaft backwards, if that is what he was getting at.

Otherwise, it's a balanced shaft with four bolt holes in each flange.

Yeah. I thought he was pulling my leg, but he wasn't. I thought that really only applied to a used shaft.

I assured him I knew that which end went to either the diff or t-case, but he meant rotationally.

 

[guardcompany]

I just did this over the weekend. I don't see how it could be installed rotationally wrong. We just followed the wear pattern and matched the new shaft to that. No issues.

 

[AlpineAccess]

@128keaton well, now I'm curious. If you have a chance to follow up with him tomorrow I'd be interested in what he's getting at.