Front drive shaft

[tempestv8]

Fair comment, Tom.

I actually don't do the work myself, but simply take the propshaft to a driveshaft specialist and they tell me what needs to be done to it.

On two occasions, they did replace the center ball joint because it was cactus, but on one particular shaft they said it was OK just to do the unis.

I've swapped out so many propshafts for friends' Discovery IIs that it really makes me wonder why Land Rover didn't use greasable uni joints. I've seen a Hookes Joint for a Japanese 4x4 which has zerk fittings for the center ball joint, and the two unis. If only LR had used that design....

Lawrance Lee

 

[chris02disco]

Ok, I am no driveline specialist so I need some help. Can anyone tell me what to look for to tell if the "center ball" is bad? I rebuilt my front propshaft a few months ago withotu changing it. Haven't noticed any problem or vibes in about 800 miles, but if the shaft will definitely fail I don't want to take a chance. This is the wife's daily driver and if something major happened she would demand to sell! I love this truck (when I get to drive it) and have no problem going under her again to fix her right. Any ideas or input?

P.S. Welcome Disco Mike, good to see your knowledge on this forum too!!

 

[antichrist]

You can lube the center ball with a syringe type grease needle. There's a tiny hole in the housing it will fit in.

 

[Disco Mike]

I think it really depends on how bad the Unis in the Hookes Joint have degraded to. Sometimes it's OK just to replace the two unis if the center ball joint is still OK.

The going price for a tranny and or t/case replacement is in the $4000 to $5000 range and you want to tell someone it might be OK, not very sound advice. For $38 a new centering ball will make sure both new u-joints are aligned perfectically.

 

[chris02disco]

Thanks for the input.
Looks like I am going back in. Now that I have a better idea of what I am doing, it shouldn't be very difficult to change the "center ball". I believe that the propshaft still has the alignment marks from before. It not really work when you enjoy the learning!!

 

[Disco Mike]

Ok, I am no driveline specialist so I need some help. Can anyone tell me what to look for to tell if the "center ball" is bad? I rebuilt my front propshaft a few months ago withotu changing it. Haven't noticed any problem or vibes in about 800 miles, but if the shaft will definitely fail I don't want to take a chance. This is the wife's daily driver and if something major happened she would demand to sell! I love this truck (when I get to drive it) and have no problem going under her again to fix her right. Any ideas or input?

P.S. Welcome Disco Mike, good to see your knowledge on this forum too!!

Hate to tell you, but odds are without having changing the center ball, your shaft will fail again, sooner then later.

 

[Disco Mike]

You can lube the center ball with a syringe type grease needle. There's a tiny hole in the housing it will fit in.

If it has never been lubed in the past, there will be a wear pattern the the new u-joints won't be able to fit with and BOOM>

 

[antichrist]

I believe that the propshaft still has the alignment marks from before.

Make your alignment marks with a center punch and they will always be there.

If it has never been lubed in the past, there will be a wear pattern the the new u-joints won't be able to fit with and BOOM>

I was talking about once it's been replaced. Even though the Disco type CV head doesn't have a grease fitting, you can get grease in to the center ball.

 

[chris02disco]

Make your alignment marks with a center punch and they will always be there.

I just used a dremel to eche some arrows on both sides. I didn't really want to pound on the shaft for fear of unbalancing it. I am not sure how sensitive it really is?? Just looked under the truck again today and I still can see them. BTW who makes a good center ball kit? I haven't really researched local parts stores yet, but I may have to order one. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[antichrist]

I just used a dremel to eche some arrows on both sides. I didn't really want to pound on the shaft for fear of unbalancing it. I am not sure how sensitive it really is?? Just looked under the truck again today and I still can see them.

A dremel works too. A good sharp center punch will mark it without much force and not unbalance it. In fact a acceptable way of removing the u-joints is to remove the circlip and whack the yoke with a hammer, preferably brass.

BTW who makes a good center ball kit? I haven't really researched local parts stores yet, but I may have to order one. Any ideas? Thanks

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