engine and drivetrain Shortened Drive Shaft

[bnam]

The driveshaft on my Tii hadn't been shortened enough when the PO converted it to 5-spd.  As a result, even after pushing the pumpkin far back as it would go, the driveshaft put enough pressure to distort the guibo and (as I found out today) the Center bearing.  Surprisingly, it worked fine for the past 3K miles that I've had it and for the few thousands the PO had put on.  Even with a tear in the guibo and in the CSB.

 

It had been on my to-do list.  Finally pulled it out today and took it to Drive Line Svcs in Sac.  It needed to be shortened by close to 1/2".  But, it turns out the U-joints are not in good shape either.  Replacing u-joints, CSB, shortening, balancing runs close to $500.  I think it ill be cheaper to buy a new shortened one.

 

Ireland offers them.  Anyone else I should consider?

 

Byas

[Chamonix72]

Dave Varco may sell just the driveshaft too, but I would call to check. I know he sells a "kit". I have an Ireland driveshaft and it's been great since day 1. 

[thehackmechanic]

Dave Varco, I believe, sends shafts out to a local shop for shortening. He's a great guy, very helpful. I sent him the shaft for one of my 5-speed jobs. I think I sent him just the front section to save on shipping, but then the shop can't balance the whole shaft, just the front section. 

[bnam]

The local shop will shorten for $60.  If the u joints were ok, I could have replaced the CSB myself and then get it shortened and balanced.

 

Can I replace the u-joints myself?  The BMW kit is ~$80, but what equipment will I need?

 

What brand of CSB is recommended?  BMW is $250+ just for CSB.

[AceAndrew]

NOT Reinz, APA/URO, or MTC.  The only aftermarket CSB I use is the Febi.

Edited November 24, 2013 by AceAndrew

[bnam]

Who carries Febi? Does Ireland or blunt or 2002haus?

Oreilly carries The CSB, but I wonder which brand. They said it was their National brand.

Napa carries a Napa brand with skf bearing.

Thx!

[bnam]

Ended up sending the driveshaft to IE for a rebuild.  

 

I could get a CSB for about $40 and shortening was $65, but Driveline would not repair just the one bad u-joint, they will only repair both together taking cost to $500 all-in or $100 and live with bad u-joint.  So decided to get the rebuild from IE.

[TobyB]

The problem with rebuilding them is that they have to be machined out- they're staked in place.

 

t