driveline maintenance becomes driveline replacement

[brucecooner]

I was disassembling my front drive shaft this weekend, and upon cleaning found a crack in one of the ears (?) next to the centering yoke.

I think it got hit by an uncapped u-joint while I was hammering elsewhere. It's bunged up inside the ring, and a bit out of round as well.

Bummer.

 

 

 

The socket joint the ball rides in is pretty well grooved, but the ball wasn't really loose before I took the centering yoke apart.

 

But I probably need a new driveshaft.

 

I'd be okay getting  a used one and replacing the joints (which I'd already got for this shaft).

 

But if a new driveshaft is on the table, maybe I could consider an upgrade.

I saw a placed called Tom's that sells them ready to go:

https://4xshaft.com/products/xj-cherokee-front-drive-shaft

 

I really want to lift this thing, someday, IF I can ever get enough other stuff sorted out, so a new shaft with extended splines in the slip

might not be a bad idea.

 

Or are aftermarket shafts not worth the expense unless you're lifting it half a foot and doing extreme wheeling?

 

Anybody got a good recommendation, a place you had good luck dealing with?

Or would you just get an old banger off of ebay and replace the joints?

 

 

 

 

 

[ghetdjc320]

Tom Woods makes great driveshafts as does Adams (I’ve run several of both with zero issues but slightly better service with Tom Woods). Both specialize in a lot of Jeep applications. A local driveline shop may also be an option if you have one close by

[Spinnakerblue89]

I have a Tom Woods front drive shaft in my 2003 Landrover Discover II. Here's a fun fact: Those trucks left the factory with drive shafts that were greased but had no way to grease them, no fittings, a sort of sealed part. The problem is that the front drive shaft near the front connection is situated between 2 very hot catalytic converters that overtime does quite a number to the grease that's inside the driveshaft. And eventually it starts to squeal, and once it does, it is not long before that front shaft becomes a medieval weapon, breaks free, and goes straight through either the transmission or the transfer case. Don't believe it? There are pics to prove it!

 

So I have a Tom Woods right now in it and seems to be doing just fine!