Drive shaft?

[Christophe Noel]

I have had three go out on me.
Warning signs:
- Physical = Shuddering in the steering wheel, vibration when accellerating and slack in the driveline which is like a delay or clunk between accellerator and moving.
- Audible = You will likely hear a chirping, the sound of metal on metal especially during acceleration.
- Visual = Take a flashlight, even if it day, and inspect the back end of the front drive shaft. Look for bright new shiny metal within the joints and also look for chunked or metal strips hanging off the same area.

IMHO - Considering how you use it I think the original shaft rebuilt with greasable joints will be just fine.

Regards,
Brian

Bravo, Brian.

I got the shudder. It was mild, but noticeable. I was driving the 1/4 mile to my mechanic and...chirp. The audible was unmistakeable. So, I'm having the front shaft rebuilt.

Thanks fellers.

 

[Antichrist]

So, I'm having the front shaft rebuilt.

Make sure the centering ball in the DC is replaced as well. I've seen reports of people having their DII front propshafts rebuilt and it turns out only the u-joints were replaced.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Updated 2/8/11

My mechanic called. He said the shaft is not the "updated" shaft without the "updated" flange. What ever the heck that means. His price for a shaft was $900. $1200 total to replace it.

WHAT!?!?!

He's telling me it would cost more to rebuild it.

Help.

 

[MatthewThompson]

That's BS. Find a new mechanic who's not crooked.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I think I'll skip the $900 shaft and $400 labor charge. Yikes.

Is there anything else ancillary to a 2002 DII front shaft that will need to be replaced?

 

[ColoDisco]

I agree. That is ridiculous. You can get replacments way cheaper.

 

[dwh]

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=917806

 

[Paladin]

I think I'll skip the $900 shaft and $400 labor charge. Yikes.

Is there anything else ancillary to a 2002 DII front shaft that will need to be replaced?

The only thing I needed was new prevailing torque nuts (it's an all-metal nut with a pinched thread at the end). Basically all-metal lock nuts, to replace the existing Nyloc nuts. But that was with a Wood's shaft which has a thicker flange. Not an issue for you, though the prevailing torque nuts are not a bad idea anyway. I would recommend using brand new Nyloc nuts at the least, though I'm sure most don't.

Nyloc nuts aren't really great when they are old and reused. Prevailing torque nuts are resistant to the heat from the cats. It's a minor detail, but good peace of mind.

I wish I was as dishonest as your mechanic. I could make a good living too. 30 minute to change a driveshaft, and I can go home for the day....

 

[craig]

I think I'll skip the $900 shaft and $400 labor charge. Yikes.

Is there anything else ancillary to a 2002 DII front shaft that will need to be replaced?

Nope. Nothing else required for a front driveshaft replacement. Call GBR or Tom Woods and have them mail you one. You can swap it in yourself in under an hour tops (A few bolts on each end).

 

[Christophe Noel]

Sheesh. This has been epic.

So, I found a driveline shop around the corner that can rebuild the shaft with new U-joints for $250. Good enough for me.

 

[RoverDude]

Sheesh. This has been epic.

So, I found a driveline shop around the corner that can rebuild the shaft with new U-joints for $250. Good enough for me.

Save your self $100 and get a second quote. Hopefully, it will be just above $100. If it is more tell them that's over your strict budget of $150.

 

[Antichrist]

If a shop is rebuilding it figure on $25-$35 per u-joint x 3, plus the centering kit for $35-$45. Plus labor of course.
They'll be using Neapco or Precision u-joints since Spicer doesn't make the 5-4x u-joint anymore. You might find a shop that has NOS Spicer, but don't count on it as Spicer doesn't carry them on their books anymore and hasn't shipped any in well over a year.

 

[scottma]

You can't tell if a propshaft is bad by grabbing it and shaking it. Or at least that won't tell you if you have a seized u-joint. You have to disconnect at least one end to tell if that's the case.

But with that mileage on an OE DII front propshaft you're living on borrowed time. When was the last time you greased the u-joint at the front diff and at the parking brake end of the rear propshaft?

I have an 04 Disco II with a greasable drive shaft. Do I need to be concerned with this model year 's drive shaft at 90,000 miles?

 

[craig]

The U-joints themselves are greasable on the 04?

The trouble is the U-joints get hot and the grease dries out causing premature wear and tear. Replace it eventually, but there's nothing to worry about for the first 60k or so. Conservatively, they usually fail somewhere between 60k and 110k.

Craig

 

[Paladin]

The front shaft on my 04 was not greasable. The rear was. The front failed at about 60,000 miles.