Front driveline help, please...

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Portedfrankenstien

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So, I've been getting a humming noise from what sounded like the left front wheel bearing since I bought the truck back in April. Usually only at freeway speeds around 60-70mph. Didn't put too much thought into it since I don't drive the freeway much, and just figured I'd tackle it this winter when I have a little more free time to tinker. But the noise started to happen between 40-50mph now. So tonight I had it up in the air doing my fuel filter, and decided to shake things down a bit. Wheel bearings tight. Steering and suspension tight. Rear u-joints tight. Almost just skipped past it and wasn't going to worry about it again until winter like I said before. But I decided to check the front driveline, and sure enough the dual cardan joint is pretty damn bad. So I pulled the driveline out to test drive it and verify that that was the problem, and it was. Only problem is... I've never replaced one. I need some advice. Do I try to replace it myself, or send it to the driveline shop, or buy a used driveline from the yard? I don't know what to do. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks in advance!
 
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Portedfrankenstien

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Here are some pictures
[AndTTACH=full]189936[/ATTACH]
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Portedfrankenstien

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So... According to GM, this isn't the stock setup? It does say Spicer on it, so that could be true. I guess if that's the case, my question is can I run a stock front drive shaft on here even with the 4 inch lift? Need some help, please
 

deadbeat

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That has at a minimum been balanced, you can tell by the washers welded on, factory is rectangles. U-joints are not going to fix where it is broke, buy yourself another driveshaft. Measure from u-joint center front to u joint center rear to see if a factory one at the junk yard will work. Or take it to a drive line shop if you have one local, they will be able to rebuild what you have. You can't fix this without a lathe and some parts.
 

Portedfrankenstien

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So, I found the parts on Amazon. They aren't too poorly priced either. And I found some rubuild threads on some jeep forums oddly enough. Actually doesn't look like too tough of a rebuild. I'm going to knock it out myself. The piece that appears to be broken, is actually just a dust boot. It's basically just a custom built shaft, that seems as if it was done professionally to me. I think the shaft itself is factory, and they just hacked off the stock yoke and welded this one on to create the double cardan joint to help with the angle from the lift. I've discovered that the sounds and vibrations I've been getting are common when these go bad. Jeep guys refer to it as "angry sparrows". Ha ha. Once I get parts, and start the rebuild I will post pictures to show progress. Might be a month or so before I order parts. No rush right now as we won't see snow for another two months. I'll just have me a lifted 2wd for awhile. Ha ha. Thanks for your input, man. Fingers crossed, this will be a fairly simple process.
 

Portedfrankenstien

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Here is the part I need
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Amd here is a similar housing. It's not the same part number, but I think the part number on my driveline is discontinued
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And the little dust and dirt sleeve that's torn. It does look like a broken chunk of metal in those pictures, which is what I though too when I first took it out. But when I looked at it closer I realized it was just a dirty, torn rubber sleeve
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I don't know what's up with my photobucket, but it's been making some weird things happen. Sorry

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Eskimomann209

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I recommend going to a good shop
If it was an off road primary rig
Go for it
If you drive higher speeds in snow
Have a shop do it
Never a bad idea to have them rebalance it and check for wear in other joints and they slap a coat of paint on it
I have MADE my own drivelines and been damned close many a time
I still recommend a shop
 
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