dose the frount drive shaft need to be rebuilt on the 96's? i know ya'll have been saying on the d2's but is it the same prb on the d1's?
thanks

 

IMO it's certainly worth rebuilding them u-joints you can lube. The one on the output flange end is close to the cat too, just like in the DII. I don't think they are as prone to failure as the DII though.

 

thanks, i'll add that to my ever growing list =D

 

Make sure that you lube those u-joints at least twice a year.

 

My 97 and my friend's 96 came from the factory with greaseable u-joints in the shafts. Should be no reason to rebuild a D1 shaft unless it got damaged somehow.

Like Mike said, make sure to keep the u-joints greased and you'll be fine.

 

You're correct. I switched mine to a DII propshaft right after I bought it and didn't notice that what I thought was a sealed u-joint was actually one with a missing zerk. I just went and looked at it. LOL

So Aiden, if you've been greasing the u-joints properly (specified service interval is every 5,000 miles for normal use) then you should be fine continuing with that service interval.
If on the other hand you haven't, or never have, then I'd rebuild them. Or at least remove the propshaft and make sure the u-joints move in all directions with just slight resistance. If there's any binding, or they are really floppy, replace them.
Then make sure to grease them every 5k miles, at a minimum. And you want to see new grease coming out from around all 4 seals on both u-joints. Also grease the slip joint.

 

X2 on the greasing them at every oil change.
Also grease them after every time you wade through deep water.