I just got my drive shaft back from the shop. Looks like its a half to 3/4 of an inch off. They cut it a 1/4 inch shorter then I wanted and I guess I miscalculated the yest. My options? 1. Longer yoke, 1/2 inch longer then my current yoke $60.00 2. New Drive Shaft, $225 3. Relocate rear end as much as I can to make up the difference. 4. Hope and pray that the extra 1/2 inch wont f everything up. Any more suggestions? Which one would you do? Here are some pictures Slip Yoke (4 inches of spline) Lower Link (Looks like i have 3/8s of play to move the rear end forward) How the rear tire fits inside the fender currently.
Take it back and have them do it right.....you'll never be happy if you need to 'adjust' to fix their (and your's) screw-up.
I would have to find another shaft for them to cut down. I dont know this for sure but Ive never heard of anyone being able to lengthen a drive shaft...
As long as the slip joint is supported by the bushing in the tailshaft, I'd run it the way it is. It's moving around all the time anyway, unless the suspension piviots at the trans yoke point.
The yoke is tight in the tailshaft, no end play. I am just worried about premature bushing/bearing wear in the transmission. That picture of the yoke is where its at with weight on the rear. I also measured with the rear end drooping and there wasnt a measurable difference between the two. Atleast not with a tape measure.
Is the weight of the entire truck including fuel and passengers, on the ground when you took this measurement ? Dont do anything until it is, and remember thru a "cycle of movement" the driveshaft will move in and out with every bump or road irregularity. As long as the tailshaft bearing is engaged completely I think its fine. My driveshaft builder always says the best way to measure is - "Loaded on the ground, slide the yoke in all the way and then out 1.00 inch. Measure from center of u-joint at trans yoke to center of u-joint at axle yoke. Thats your driveshaft length needed."
When you push the yoke all the way in and it bottoms out, how much do you have to pull it back to hook up the driveline?
If it will be as shown in the picture when the truck is driving, then I'd just run it the way it is. It should be fine.
Mine was cut a little short also, about like yours, I have run it for several years with no problems.
I agree with Squirrel, but if they are a good driveshaft shop, lengthening is no harder than shortening the driveshaft.
Im going to call the driveline shop tomorrow and see what they can do, if its going to be a big ordeal then ill just test drive it as is and see if it makes any noise.
It will be fine as it is, to measure i push all the way in and pull back 1" Looks like your rear wheel is already slightly forward in the arch anyway.
Sorry didn't understand what you were saying to leading me to. The yoke slips pushes all the way in so 1.5 inches out is how far it comes out to meet the drive shaft. That leaves 2.5 inches of yoke inside the transmission. The picture of tire location is with the year end drooping so it does seem slightly forward.
No problem with 2.5 contact. run it and sleep fine. ..and depending on what trans, there would be more of the rear shaft sticking out past the seal, so you have more that 2,5" contact on the splines.
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