Drive Shaft

[clevr4]

I known its been asked a lot in the past, i have used the search option.


but what is the opinion these days on drive shaft options. i ask because i know i need to replace one of my carrier bearings, pretty much in pieces. i figured i could do a whole rebuild or i could wimp out and buy the rebuilt one somewhere. thoughts?

 

[EMX5636]

Only options are DSS aluminum, and rebuild your stocker. Unless you have a local shop that will build you a custom chromoly one.

 

[galant0933]

I just had to deal with this.

There's rebuilt ones on ebay for about $500 and I've had a local driveshaft shop quote me the same to rebuild mine.

With either of these options though, I doubt they're using mitsu parts. I ended up just rebuilding mine myself using the mitsu parts I bought from jnz and some guidance with the youtube vids. I bought the 2 carriers, 3 recall flanges for u joints and a couple of the one time use washers and nuts.

My original one was tough getting apart at the lobro, but luckily a local member sold me his spare rebuilt one at MOD. I just replaced the joints and carriers for good measure since I already had them.

If I had to do it again, I would of just dropped off my original one at the machine shop to seperate then rebuild.

 

[EMX5636]

^ this. If you rebuild it, please use Mitsu parts. Normally I'm not so pro-OEM parts, but in this case, aftermarket U-joints just don't hold up. I've seen many broken ones. Carrier bearings you might be able to get by, but definitely don't skimp on the U-joints. Also, I don't believe the parts are available to rebuild the Lobro joint anymore. JNZ is your best bet for all the rest though.

A press is almost essential for getting them apart. You can usually use a vice or C-clamp (or the ball/u-joint tool that some stores rent) to install, but they are definitely tough to press out.

 

[marvinmadman]

I used a rental ball joint c press and didn't have a problem with the old joints or new joints.

 

[BENE38A]

When I did mine I used a vice and some sockets to push the u joints out, it worked fine it was surprisingly easy I think the hardest bit was holding the shaft in place while torquing the nut to some ridiculous number.

 

[galant0933]

Yea, the u joints were not a problem. The hf press is only 100 or so, but you could just rent the the clamp tool from the parts store.

Getting to the carriers was much more difficult.

 

[galant0933]

Also, the lobro assembly was available for purchase from jnz, but not the boot seperately. The assembly is 250+, so be careful with it. There shouldn't be any reason to take yours apart unless the boot was torn.

 

[clevr4]

this is good advice from all. I am kind of dreading the process, im capable of doing all that was in fro videos but i dont want to prove it ha, thats a big price tag for something thats working , just the carrier rubber is mangled. i think its the rear one. now i have an excuse to send out my ecu for v3 ecmlink, and i can take my time with the driveshaft. thanks all.

 

[prove_it]

I'm sure there is a driveshaft shop around your town that might be willing to look at it. If you need new U-joints, just order the recall kit and take the joints out. It saves a big chunk of money on the joints.

 

[matt92vr4]

I get a thumping sound from the rear under wot at higher boost levels. Is this the driveshaft? I always thouhht it probably was. Anyone running the dss unit? I have a 1 piece carbon fiber on the stealth and its been great.

 

[thomcasey]

Yup, that is the usual "thump" that is caused by worn carrier bearings. Rebuilding the driveshaft is really not that hard. I used a c-clamp, some sockets, pliers, allens, a drift and a brass hammer. I rebuilt one in the front yard while my wife gardened. Took 2 hours, no issues over the last 3 years.

 

[strokin4dr]

I've experienced that same sound on a few occasions. Was consistent for a week or so then went away.
Let me know if you figure out the cure for yours! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hsugh.gif

 

[Kentstatetsi]

jafro has a series of videos on youtube about servicing mitsu driveshafts.