Hi all, got a quick drive shaft question. I recently got a used aftermarket drive shaft (unsure of the manufacturer). In inspecting it and greasing it up, I pulled it apart, in other words holding two separate pieces. When pulling them apart I failed to make note how it was oriented. I put them together, trying to make one end inline with the other. I thought this might make the most sense as far as balance and rotation.

My question, does this matter? Does one side of the drive shaft have to be inserted into the other a specific way? Thanks in advance!

 

Front shafts can only work one way because of the flange size. D/C join at t-case end

 

Only thing I would worry about is if the balance is maintained if you didn't get it back together the same way it came apart.

 

I think I know what you are saying. You pulled the two ends apart, and now your worried you didn't insert them the same way they came apart?

It's a good question. My guess, and it's only a guess, is that the end that has the little weights welded to it is the only end that needs balancing. So you can put it back together how you please.

Edit. Thinking further. I'm now betting both halves are balanced. so the question is 'are they balanced as one unit, or two halves?'

I shouldn't start replying to posts with a hangover.....

 

Ah.. probably should have read the post before responding.

Ideally you should have it balanced before installing. They are balanced in one orientation.

 

contact who you bought if from they may have a standard way they line them up before put them together for balancing, it couldnt hurt to ask

 

I suggest finding a driveline shop close by and have it rebalanced. If you separated the two sections and did not reinsert the two halves exactly the way it came apart then, more than likely it's out of balance.

It may vibrate and worst case scenario put stress on the joints and well, use your imagination for the rest.

 

The two parts are usually lined up with the grease fittings. At least on my trucks
I think in the picture you had it lined up 90 degrees off.

 

Thanks for all the great input. I ended up taking into a driveline shop and you're absolutely correct DiscoCam, the grease nipples should align. The picture shows them 90 degrees off. The shop guy realigned it correctly but i elected not to get it balance. He sounded pretty confident that everything should be okay. If something doesn't feel right i guess i'll pull it out and spend the $55 to get it balance...at that price maybe i should get it done anyway?? Decisions...

Thanks guys

 

Yeah, I should have picked up on that - lining up the grease fittings. I'm fairly confident in saying that is how it was orientated when it was originally spun on the balancer.