Aftermarket Driveshaft

[rjaudi]

Has anyone ever installed an aftermarket driveshaft? I think my U-joints are bad and I figured it may be simpler to replace the driveshaft instead of taking it to a shop to have them install the joints. I got quoted 300 dollars for an aftermarket Tatton aluminum driveshaft with new Spicer U joints.

 

[Elton H]

lol u joints are not that hard bro if you got a vice a big hammer and a impact socket that fits over the cap thats all you need

 

[Pikeman]

I agree with Elton. You are looking at a few nuts and bolts to remove the shaft. Remove some C-clips, tap with hammer and remove. Put new ones in and then bolt it back up. I even saw a video on YouTube regarding U-Joint replacement. Easier to spend 40-50 in parts and a few minutes extra in labor then 300 on a new drive shaft(even if it is a great deal).

 

[rjaudi]

At first I agreed with you all to just replace them. I am in the process of moving now and have limited tool access. I would have to get a c clamp to press them out. Also, when I looked at my Toyota parts site each u joint is 55 dollars. I will need 3 to replace all the rears, which I was told you need to do all at once. So I was looking at at least 150 in parts to repair an old rusty driveshaft or 150 for a brand new one better than stock.

 

[Elton H]

o ya the mark the slip yoke before you remove it ... 3 u joints ? they can all be bad

 

[Pikeman]

If you have a 4wd then you have 2 drive shafts and 4 U-joints. One U-joint at each end of each driveshaft. So only 2 U-joints per driveshaft. Now if you have the extended cab tacoma you would have a 2 piece rear driveshaft with a U-joint on the 2 ends and a Cardan joint in hte middle joining the 2 drive shafts.

 

[driffter33]

If you have a 4wd then you have 2 drive shafts and 4 U-joints. One U-joint at each end of each driveshaft. So only 2 U-joints per driveshaft. Now if you have the extended cab tacoma you would have a 2 piece rear driveshaft with a U-joint on the 2 ends and a Cardan joint in hte middle joining the 2 drive shafts.

My 2000 has 3 u joints in rear The double u joint, ball socket/ Cv joint looks like this and can be a PITA.

that connects to the transfercase

this connects to the rear diff. and is a POC simple as stated before if this is what all of yours look like its easy

 

[rjaudi]

Yeah thats what I was looking at those 3 joints. I made sure the new driveshaft would have had a CV on the end. So I figure the parts are 160 for all 3 from Toyota and I have to worry about install or 300 for the whole deal.