Hindsight is 20/20

[CruiseLifeB]

So I’ve been cleaning my 98 front driveshaft this week spent a few days on it, & I just prepped it to paint today before I press the new u-joints in place . And after looking up more videos on replacing this part I realized I should’ve established the spindle condition before I got to this point.

Are these too worn to continue to use ?

 

[GoToGuy]

What area are you calling the " spindle "?

 

[Schurkey]

Those splines look pretty beat, including wear farther up the shaft. I think I'd be looking for another driveshaft before investing in new U-joints in that one.

How loose are the male splines when installed into the female splines? Can you get the opinion of a local driveshaft shop?

 

[CruiseLifeB]

What area are you calling the " spindle "?

So the grooved part That slips into the grease fitting end of the driveshaft. That end also has grooves. that’s what it looked like after I broke it apart and cleaned it.
What is the correct name for that area?

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[CruiseLifeB]

Those splines look pretty beat, including wear farther up the shaft. I think I'd be looking for another driveshaft before investing in new U-joints in that one.

How loose are the male splines when installed into the female splines? Can you get the opinion of a local driveshaft shop?

I’m not sure where a local driveshaft shop is. But if by loose you mean. Easily slide it on and off. Yes, definitely loose
& when I spin one end , I can feel the grooves catching but you can tell it’s not tight

 

[Schurkey]

definitely loose
& when I spin one end , I can feel the grooves catching but you can tell it’s not tight

Time for a new or "good used" shaft. Replace the U-joints as needed.

 

[NickTransmissions]

I’m not sure where a local driveshaft shop is. But if by loose you mean. Easily slide it on and off. Yes, definitely loose
& when I spin one end , I can feel the grooves catching but you can tell it’s not tight

Those splines must owe someone a lot of money based on how beat they are. Go to a junkyard and see if you can find one with good splines to yank off. Lots of gmt400s in the yards...

 

[CruiseLifeB]

Those splines must owe someone a lot of money based on how beat they are. Go to a junkyard and see if you can find one with good splines to yank off. Lots of gmt400s in the yards...

OK, for sure. Thank you Guys so any GMT400 driveshaft is compatible, regardless of the year? Given its a 4WD like mine

 

[Schurkey]

Might vary depending on which transfer case/front differential is installed. Might vary depending on model year.

Use yours as a "sample" when you're at the Treasure Yard.