Rebuild Front & Rear Driveshafts?

[W7412R]

Hi all, I have the dreaded chassis vibration which everyone is having to rebuild their front drive shafts over. I was wondering if I should have the rear shaft rebuilt also.

I see everyone is saying to get the Autozone/Neapco U-joints for the front, and I was wondering if the can provide the rear U-joints as well.

Oh, and part numbers/prices would be appreciated also.

Please advise...

Thanks!!

[landrovergeek]

Originally Posted by W7412R

Hi all, I have the dreaded chassis vibration which everyone is having to rebuild their front drive shafts over. I was wondering if I should have the rear shaft rebuilt also.

I see everyone is saying to get the Autozone/Neapco U-joints for the front, and I was wondering if the can provide the rear U-joints as well.

Oh, and part numbers/prices would be appreciated also.

Please advise...

Thanks!!

all of the u joints are the same for front and rear.


on my 99 d2, i used "precision" greasable u joints.

here's what i used.

front shaft:
- 3 u joints (precision 344)
- 1 ball centering kit for the double cardon (precision 617)

rear shaft:
- 1 u joint (precision 344)

if you are doing it yourself, might be a good idea to get an extra u joint or 2 in case you mess up a cap or needle bearing set, plus it is good to have a spare.

good luck.

[Roverhound]

The Precision u- joints are ok, but becareful when and where you get them. If you go to a parts store and tell them 344 as a part number, chances are you won't get Precision u-joints. The Precisions also have the grease zerk on the cross tree whereas the Neapco's have them on the end cap. Makes it real nice for maintenance.
When rebuilding the front have patience and take your time. If the u-joint won't slide on easily, make sure you didn't lay a needle down in the cap.
To get real Precision products at a decent price if you ecide to go that route try www.RockAuto.com
Stay away from the NAPA u-joints, they are junk.

[trubrit]

i did mine with the autozone variety(neapco) u joints are pdq1-0005 centering kit for the cardon joint neapco 7-008ng cost was about $70 4 u joints 1 centering kit. also when you get the shaft off you will see a machine screw in the slip yoke take it out and put in a grease fitting then put some grease in the slip joint. i then removed the fitting and put the set screw back in as its really close to my cat...but yours might be different.

[Roverhound]

Thanks for the centering kit number. Is that greasable? What was the cost?
I used a Precision non-greasable when I did mine.

[trubrit]

centering kit was $20.99 and it is not greasable...however you can pack it pretty well with grease before assembly as there is a small hole in the bearing housing for the ball which expells excess grease. not sure if it was a threaded hole but i think it would be next to impossible to get a grease gun in to lube as its really close to the u joint cross piece..

[jwlester]

So are you saying the neapco joints are better than the precision?? Or is there something even better? I'm getting ready to collect the parts to do this even though its early...just to be careful.

Cheers, Josh

[W7412R]

Thanks for all the great help & replies!! I have a 2000 DII, and I should have advised everyone that I own one, but are the driveshaft rebuild parts the same for 1999 & 2000 models, and does Autozone have the centering kit also? I need to drop my truck off to the shop tomorrow and have them do all the work.

[trubrit]

i believe all the u joints for those models are the same...i ordered mine on the internet thru autozone.com and was delivered the same week. it stated that my local store didnt have a centering kit in stock at the time..seems the neapco joints are working fine for most of the people who have used them as for precision joints, same goes haven't heard anything bad...neapco are u.s. built too...pretty nice joint with the grease fitting on one cap end too...

[Roverhound]

Originally Posted by jwlester

So are you saying the neapco joints are better than the precision?? Or is there something even better? I'm getting ready to collect the parts to do this even though its early...just to be careful.

Cheers, Josh

Personally I like the Neapco joints better. They are virtually identicle to the Spicers which are no longer available.

[trubrit]

x2

[hevkev]

W7412R,
This thread may help.
http://landroversonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16075 (update: bad link, see two messages below)

[jwlester]

I've seen this link several times. Am I doing something wrong...it takes me to an upload page??

Thanks everyone for the detailed info.

Cheers, Josh

[hevkev]

Originally Posted by jwlester

I've seen this link several times. Am I doing something wrong...it takes me to an upload page??

Thanks everyone for the detailed info.

Cheers, Josh

Looks like that cheap ass site dropped the file. Here's a new host:
http://www.box.net/shared/jbgsi67tnx

kl

[jwlester]

Wonderful. Thanks again.

cheers, Josh