Front Drive Shaft Rebuild.

[soulvoid86]

Ok, so I'm going to get my front drive shaft rebuilt next week. Having my personal mechanic do it. Only question is, do you think it's safe for me to drive it until then, or should I pull my firebird out of the garage.

I have to be going at least 45mph, and if I let off the gas a little bit, to the point that there is a little slack, there is some vibration coming from it. From what I can tell, there is no slack in the shaft, but I don't have a shop right now (Just moved), so I couldn't really get a good look. I'm going to my parents for the holiday and they have a garage. I'm thinking about pulling my Firebird out, and parking my LR in it until I get it to my mechanic on Tuesday.

I'd rather not drive my Firebird because I don't have insurance on it, but at the same time, I don't wanna lose my trans in the LR. I do have a warrenty on it, but then I'll be without it for at least a week, maybe more.

So bottom line, do you think I'll be safe till Tuesday with the vibration?

Thank you, and happy holidays

[Disco Mike]

It will cost you $3000 if you break it in the mean time.
Has your mechanic ever rebuilt a double cardon shaft before, if not, consider buying a replacement to be safe.
How much is he going to charge you to rebuild your's, how many miles on yours and how often do you grease the fitting that you do have?

[soulvoid86]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

It will cost you $3000 if you break it in the mean time.
Has your mechanic ever rebuilt a double cardon shaft before, if not, consider buying a replacement to be safe.
How much is he going to charge you to rebuild your's, how many miles on yours and how often do you grease the fitting that you do have?

Well, I don't care what it's going to cost if it does break. I warned the dealership and they said that it will be covered by the warranty if it breaks. I'll have it replaced before the warranty is up, so the trans is covered. And hey, if they were too cheap to just rebuild it quick, than that's on them, lol.

The mechanic I go to is a family friend that my dad grew up with. He has worked on cars since he was 13 years old, always had the fastest cars is town, all that jazz, haha. He has a very popular garage and he always works on my cars, I don't trust anyone else. He works on Volvo's, BMW's, and all kinds of imports all the time, domestics too. So I'm sure he knows how. (He's in his late 50's and has his sons help him too).

He won't charge me too much, just for the actual cost of the parts and he normally charges me like $20/hr. I figured it would take about 3 hours to do, so around $150 for all 3 u-joints and the center ball.

I don't know if it's the factory shaft/u-joints or not, I'm going to assume it is, so 118k as of today. I haven't greased it yet, not sure how to. If you could point me to a tutorial or something on how to, I will do it tonight, just to last me until I can get it down to him next week.

Thanks again Mike

[antichrist]

Here's info on rebuilding, which includes information on greasing u-joints also.
Propshaft Rebuild

The problem you have with the OE propshaft is that only one u-joint has a grease fitting, and it's not either of the two that are prone to failure.

I wouldn't drive it with the vibration. Just call your insurance agent and add your Firebird until you get your Rover back on the road, then remove it. It will cost you a lot less than if you get caught driving without insurance or if you're in an accident.

[Keanan]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

It will cost you $3000 if you break it in the mean time.
Has your mechanic ever rebuilt a double cardon shaft before, if not, consider buying a replacement to be safe.
How much is he going to charge you to rebuild your's, how many miles on yours and how often do you grease the fitting that you do have?

Due to the economy, inflation and Black Friday the price has recently risen to $3217.

I would suggest driving the Firebird or pulling the front shaft and driving RWD style.

[soulvoid86]

Originally Posted by Keanan

Due to the economy, inflation and Black Friday the price has recently risen to $3217.

I would suggest driving the Firebird or pulling the front shaft and driving RWD style.

Haha, nice. I would pull the shaft off and drive it like that, but I don't have a CDL, so I will just sit there and go... no where, lol.

I've been driving my Firebird, ordered the u-joints and center ball. Having my mechanic rebuild it next week.

Thanks for the help.