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Need new front drive shaft. Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by lynn, Sep 19, 2005.

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  1. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    Crawling under the CJ this weekend, looks like I need a new front driveshaft. Lots of play/wobble in the slip joint splines.

    I went to two local places Saturday morning hoping to find one, since I run a stock CJ driveshaft (I'm not sure of the source, probably from an Intermediate with a 4-speed... running length 26 3/4" to centers)
    Obviously not the stock '71 front shaft because of the T18 and front D30, I run a longer shaft than stock '71 with bigger ujoints.

    My one local source spent a half hour looking through his huge collection of parts. Checked about 50 shafts, none were right. My 2nd source "might" have one but didn't have time to check; he'll call me later this week. If he has one, I'm betting it will be $100 for a used shaft. :rofl:
    At that price, I'm thinking I'd be better off to get a new one made. Local driveline shop (the local Mack truck dealer!!) will be over $200 for a new one, I can probably do better at Tom Woods or Precision Driveline...
    Anyone have other recommendations, pros/cons, etc?
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #1
  2. Sep 19, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Shop around...I paid $167 for a new rear DS on SSDutch...
     
    Boyink, Sep 19, 2005
    #2
  3. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Source? Local or internet?
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #3
  4. Sep 19, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Local shop.
     
    Boyink, Sep 19, 2005
    #4
  5. Sep 19, 2005
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    Jan 21, 2004
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    Lynn we have always had good luck with Tom Woods.
     
    BlueFlu, Sep 19, 2005
    #5
  6. Sep 19, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    Sep 19, 2004
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    Lynn, I just called a local shop (Capeway Bearing) they said they could set you up with a new one for $200 or less or could rebuild the one you have for $125-$150. They also said they can rebuild with used parts to keep costs down.

    Do you have a double cardon joint? If you did that would be a bit more. Of course shipping would have to be considered but I would be happy to help out in any way.
     
    Chuck, Sep 19, 2005
    #6
  7. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    I just talked to Kerry at Tom Woods. ~$189 delivered for a standard, $219 for a premium shaft, joints included.
    Chuck, thanks for the info. I'll let you know.
    I'm still going to wait to see what my local guy might have used.
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #7
  8. Sep 19, 2005
    ljspop

    ljspop Lurking Bronco Dude

    San Diego, CA
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    Jan 29, 2003
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    What's the difference between their standard and premium Lynn? I'm in the market too.
     
    ljspop, Sep 19, 2005
    #8
  9. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Slip Joint length. Standard is 3", premium is 6-7". I think warranty may be different too...
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #9
  10. Sep 19, 2005
    Grandpa Jeep

    Grandpa Jeep Member

    Peyton, CO
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    Oct 24, 2003
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    Can't you just have it rebuilt by a local shop? I would think that would be the easiest and cheapest.
     
    Grandpa Jeep, Sep 19, 2005
    #10
  11. Sep 19, 2005
    vanguard

    vanguard

    I asked at Border Auto Parts. They were at $225 for a new shaft. I paid the same for a rear 2 years ago at MIT. I think I'd go the Tom Woods route.
     
    vanguard, Sep 19, 2005
    #11
  12. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Local shop is outrageous, will cost more than a new Woody for them to rebuild my slip joint :rofl:
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #12
  13. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Unless my local 4WD shop has a used one in good shape at a fair price, then I'll probably go for a Woody.
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #13
  14. Sep 19, 2005
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
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    My slip joint on the front shaft also had a lot of play.
    Local shop just welded a new one on. Just had a pay labor and for the joint.
    Don't remember how much it was.
     
    AKCJ, Sep 19, 2005
    #14
  15. Sep 19, 2005
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
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    would check other shops before doing the mail order.
     
    66cj5, Sep 19, 2005
    #15
  16. Sep 19, 2005
    ljspop

    ljspop Lurking Bronco Dude

    San Diego, CA
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    Local quoted me ~$150 to repair my pretzeled shaft. I don't (think) I need anything other than the tube repaired.
     
    ljspop, Sep 19, 2005
    #16
  17. Sep 19, 2005
    Matt J

    Matt J New Member

    York, PA
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    Sep 24, 2002
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    Hey Lynn, need to get my rear shaft cut down and the front retubed for the SM420 swap. I was actually gonna call York Mack this afternoon to get some info, but are they really that outrageous? I knew it wouldn't be cheap, but you think it will be too bad just to have mine modified?

    Just checked with Mack, $95-100 for the rear to be cut down, $150 or so for the front retubed. The joints in both are tight, and when I had them apart not too long ago, the splines felt fine too. Hmmm....decisions, decisons
     
    Matt J, Sep 19, 2005
    #17
  18. Sep 19, 2005
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    The Woods shafts are thicker than the stockers.
    They are worth the $ IMHO.
    And if you break it they have a great warrenty service.
     
    BlueFlu, Sep 19, 2005
    #18
  19. Sep 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Jerry, a buddy has 2 Woodys and is quite satisfied. Matt, When John Snyder needed some shaft work done, York Mack wanted more to rebuild his shaft with a new slip joint than Tom Woods wanted for a new shaft.

    You can check with them, make them give you a firm price before you authorize any work....

    I'm waiting for Brad to see if he has a good used one at a reasonable price. If not I'm going for a Woody.
     
    lynn, Sep 19, 2005
    #19
  20. Sep 19, 2005
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Dang - I got a front shaft shortened and it cost $30... They said they would custom build a CV setup on the front for @ $180 - all I had to do was bring the jeep down and they would measure it all up for me.
     
    Warloch, Sep 19, 2005
    #20
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