what is this part called and how do you replace it!?! lol
 

hey I just bought a 90 ext cab and it came with a few extra parts that he said would probably need to be replaced fairly soon. one of them is the part in the pic but what is it called and how hard is it to replace? thanks

http://a170.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...eddcd77e51.jpg

and what would be any signs of it going out.

Are you referring to the universal that connects the drive line to the outer shaft? Park and set wheel chalks, then with the stick in gear or transmission selector in "park" crawl under and check how less the universals are. It should be under an inch of play. If more than the universal would need to be replaced.

Is this DS on the pickup in your avitar?

When my CV went out I just got a one piece DS made. It required less maintenance and really made a difference in ride quality. I lost a very small amount of brakeover, but it was nice to simplify the rear end.

You might price a DS as an option to replacing the CV (if needed).

Mine was growling under deceleration and had a small thunk leaving from a dead stop.

Anytime i have swing bearing trouble , i get a 1 peice built. Its cheaper than the bearing and its a pernament fix

ya it is on the truck in my avitar. where do yo uget a one piece? and about how much does it cost.

At a driveshaft or drivetrain shop. It depends on cost, usually around 300 but im not positive.

Hmm, they run around a 100 to 150 in machine shops around here

did you circle the carrier bearing?

Wow Will! Really good link on driveshafts/cv/u-joints

crazy that larger part in your pic is the double-cardan joint the smaller part ahead of it is the centre bearing.
This centre bearing/double cardan joint design helps keep the driveline up out of the way and improves the driveline geometry [see above link].
when toyota went to the longer body on our 3rd gen trucks the straight shaft system they'd used previously was no longer an option so they switched to the one you see on your truck.
a better system [argueably] but the centre bearing part is very expensive come replacement time...

Roger Brown's (aka 4Crawler) site has a plethora of useful info regarding yota's. I've found his site useful on a number of occasions. That part is commonly referred to as a double cardigan which is incorrect. Which would be akin to wearing 2 preppy sweaters at the same time :hillbill:

so is it that hard to replace? cus I have the new part sitting in my back seat. so I am thinkin bout doing it today on my day off. oh and what tools I need to do it. I heard somethin about there being a 30mill. nut inside holding the shaft in?

you don't need to mess with the shaft nut unless you need to change the yoke...

as to changing the part it is not especially difficult just a major PITA...
you'll need some snap ring pliers and possibly an extra pair of hands when under your beast other than that... maybe a selection of off-colour words and phrases... and maybe a band aid or two if [when] the pliers slip...
good luck aviator

i'll give you the simple answer

its a double-cardan joint

good day

ok... so I started takin it all apart today. got the 2 shafts apart. BUT... how the hell do you get the bolt holding the front shaft in the carrier bearing?!?!? that damn thing is TIGHT. any ideas?? thanks