New drive shaft

[AlbertaDan]

I think the u-joints are going in my truck. On anther forum a suggestion was made to get a one piece driveshaft.

The comment was that the carrier bearing would be eliminated and the new shaft is also lighter, thereby reducing any future rotating mass vibration.

Does any one have any experience with replacing the stock drive shaft with a one piece one?

 

[Raspy]

A number of guys have gone to the one piece shaft to try to eliminate vibration. I don't think the cause is a difference in mass, but the alignment and type of joints.

My Dodge came with a one piece shaft and I replaced the whole shaft with a brand new one from Dodge, instead of replacing the Ujoints. The new shaft was only about $180. and it came ready to slip in with a new front spline and all. Now, at my leisure, I can rebuild the old one with new Ujoints and have it in stock ready to slip in next time. Takes about 10 minutes to install if I take my time.

It will be a while, because the first one lasted for about 210,000 miles and was just beginning to vibrate.

Unfortunately, the new shaft is not balanced as well as the original one was.

 

[WH401]

If it's a dodge your talking about, then yes, a one piece drive shaft is the way to go. Dodge offers a direct one piece replacement made of a very lightweight material for the 03 to current MY 2500/3500's.