Driveshaft replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 421
Likes: 6
From: Chicago IL
Driveshaft replacement
Title says it all…I stupidly put a dent in my driveshaft taking the u-joints out last night. 
I am going to take it to a recommended shop this afternoon that should be able to fix it, but my concern is that the area would now become a weak spot on the shaft. Is that true?
As a back-up plan, is there a good place to pick up a new one?
Right Side:
Left Side:
Straight On:
I am going to take it to a recommended shop this afternoon that should be able to fix it, but my concern is that the area would now become a weak spot on the shaft. Is that true? As a back-up plan, is there a good place to pick up a new one?
Right Side:
Left Side:
Straight On:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
A good driveline shop will know what to do. Strength wise it's probably ok but I expect balance would have to be checked. Also if the ends are good and they need to replace the tube because of some reason, worse case they will need to cut them off replace the tube and balance.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
I second the throw it back in and run it. Looks to be a round bottom dent, I dont think it would cause much structural change. In Aviation we leave round bottom dents on the fuselage all the time as long at they are not creased.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,930
Likes: 843
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i have to agree that its not a big deal. how would a dent change the weight?
a while back i set out to change the u joints in my half shafts and ended up buying new custom shafts with solid joints . that may be a good option to get a new shaft, they aren't as much as you think.
a while back i set out to change the u joints in my half shafts and ended up buying new custom shafts with solid joints . that may be a good option to get a new shaft, they aren't as much as you think.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 421
Likes: 6
From: Chicago IL
Thanks everyone. I stopped at the shop last night - basically $250 for a brand new DS and spicer u-joints balanced with my slip yoke. Seems like a lot of scratch. If I use the same ends and they re-tube it, it would probably be around $150. I blasted the old one and a quick coat of cast so you can see the dent better - looks a lot worse now that it is cleaned up!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lincoln, CA
Safety Car
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From: New York
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
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From: League City Tx
FT Wayne Clutch is awesome. All 3 of my shafts come from them, they can take a beating and are very well priced.. No reason to risk running 45 year old stuff if you can get a new one with solid spicer u joints and thick walled tubing for $150-160 shipped..
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
The main concern is the press fits on the bearing caps....if there is no press, the caps can rotate and enlarge the fits....vibration and popping noises would start....that would be the only reason to replace the ends.
(I've been there)