CBDenver

Hey all,

Searched this up and down here on the forums for any help on this. Gathered that rebuilding the double cardan shaft is a big PITA.

I wanted to price a rebuilt or new driveshaft for 1997 4Runner 4WD (150,000 miles), before I buy 3 ujoints and the center ball parts and attempt a rebuild myself!

Any good online places to order entire shaft from, or someting in my area (Denver, CO) that anyone wants to throw out there?

Thanks for any help.
Chris

isaac338

get the joints and a u-joint tool and it'll be a breeze. make witness marks!

CBDenver

thanks for the reply on it. I'm on the fence. I was thinking of doing it myself and have read all the writeups I can find, but was not sure of other's experiences either with costs of rebuilding verses buying, or, the ability to actually get it rebuilt themselves.

rdlsz24

I always hear builders on the PowerBlock on SpikeTV mention www.driveshaftshop.com and www.dennysdriveshaft.com.

Rob

isaac338

i just did my rear joint (not the double cardan but the same idea), and it cost me about $30 for the u-joint. if i was doing several i'd spend the $50 on the tool cause pounding mine out was a hassle.

to compare the cheapest used shaft i could find at local junkers (via car-part) was about $300..

CBDenver

Thanks all for the responses. I went ahead and bought the 3 u-joints and am going to attempt it myself.

For those of you that have done a double cardan style drive shaft rebuild, did you replace the cv ball/seat joint thing? I can't get a good consensus on whether it typically needs to be replaced, or just do the 3 u-joints and have the shaft rebalanced and call it good?

Any advice (or part numbers) on the cv ball/seat joint and whether to do it or not? Could not find it even listed anywhere I've looked using my 1997 4Runner as the vehicle.

Thanks,
Chris

BluYot

Are you talking about the center support bearing?..or am I just confused?

CBDenver

Thanks for the follow-up. This is not about a center support bearing (like on a Tacoma I think?), since my 4Runner does not have this.

The ball/seat thing is between 2 u-joints in the double cardan section on the driveshaft. It has a spring designed to keep the ball pushed out. I think it is to keep the 2 u-joints centered or something?

CB

neliconcept

if you are looking for a high angle cv shaft or something like that

jereel.com or highangledriveline.com

two very well known driveline shops, however you wont need that on ifs imo, just goto a junkyard for a new shaft.

KevinInSac

I sent an email to high angle driveline because they are a short drive for me. My drive shaft, fully rebuilt and balanced was priced at $410. And that's with my two piece. I'll probably make the trip at some point because that center bearing isn't so hot...