Three decent UJs will cost you around $100 (Land Rover Universal Joint - Propeller Shaft (Part # TVC100010)), and it's extremely easy to DIY if you have a large C-clamp, some sockets and an internal c-clip tool. The 27mm socket for Disco lugs turns out to be the perfect size to act as a receiver cup for the UJs. Provided you don't mess with the center bearing in the cardon joint (I had a ton of trouble with it and ended up having to get a new shaft as a result), it's worth doing yourself, IMO.

Getting a balancing done does provide some extra peace of mind. Not sure if that'd be worth ~$160 to me, but it might be to you.

 

The centering ball is precisely why I'd prefer to get it done at a shop.

To me, replacing the U-joints and not the centering ball defeats the purpose of the exercise.

Plus, the 2 year warranty is handy as well.

I have the tools to do so, but the limiting factor at the moment is time....and I need this back on the road soon.

I usually do all my own wrenching, but I'm learning to send *some* stuff out the door for the sake of my sanity.

 

why would you rebuild a front driveshaft and not do the center bearing? which is the cause of most front failures

 

I don't get it -- how is the center bearing the cause of most failures?

 

It doesnt get greased often enough....

The joints fail often, but when its a catastrophic failure, its usually the ball giving up the ghost and dragging everyone down with it.

 

So when you rebuild it you obviously grease it. If it's still moving around freely and is properly greased, I don't understand what the issue is with not replacing it.

 

I have a few front driveshafts... A couple of stock ones and a couple of HD ones that I got later, and I've never seen grease come out of the centering ball, nor a fitting to grease them (unless grease migrates from the u joints to the centering ball, in which case my grease has never made that trip insofar as I have never seen it come out of the ball). I'm not contradicting the previous post... I really want to know how to grease the centering ball. Driveshafts are expensive!

 

Post #5
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...-failed-31383/

It can be done. Its just a monumental pain in the a$$.

 

....for real?


If I were to rebuild a shaft and had to choose, I would replace the centering ball and not the U joints.

 

Why? Maybe I'm dense, but I don't understand how regreasing a working, non-defective center ball is a bad idea.