I've got a bit of a problem. I had my front driveshaft rebuilt about 4 months ago by a local shop.
Last week I notice a squeal and I thought it was the fan belt. Then I noticed the noise was more centred under the truck.
Didn't suspect the drive shaft since it was just rebuilt. I ended up droping the rear shaft and putting the front on jack stand so I could listen.
Sure enough it was the front shaft. Dropped it out and took it back to the place I had it rebuilt.
The centre ball is completely dry. The guy said it was because I off-road and washed all the grease out. Then he started saying something about needing a grease fitting on the ball joint etc.
I told him it was a crock since others have done this and replaced it with a precision 617 kit (which is what they put in). They will put another one in but I'll be paying. Not their fault since I off road.
I did some more research after I got back since I don't want to be rebuilding this thing every 4 months. And what I found is that it looks like they missed putting back the dust shield/collar around the centre ball.
I can see the ball joint clearly, if that collar was there I'd not be able to see it, right?

After the original response I doubt they are going to fess up to losing it. Even if they do where do I get a replacement?

Any ideas on what to do? Is there a source for a new dust shield? What is it made from? Can a new one be manufactured?
Or am I just going to be buying a new driveshaft?

Mark

 

They screwed it up and you are having to pay for their screw up, I would take it somewhere else.
You off roading did NOT cause this to happen, it is THEIR fault and they are not man enough to fess up to their screw up.
Seriously, I would take it back and tell them to screw off. (only with a bigger more powerful word that ends with a "K")

As for finding that dust shield, I do not know if you can even buy that seperate or not.
Start looking in junk yards for your driveshaft, they can be had for under $100.

 

So, would that be screwK or offK?

Anywho - ifn you (its money though) get a Tom Woods you never have to worry about centering ***** again, just keep the ujoints greased.

 

Will Tillery was offering TW drive shafts for $345 shippes last month, probably still is... I just replaced mine with a TW at 56k on the truck.

 

That's funnyK!

 

Neapco sells the collars separately, but I don't know the part number.
You can grease the center ball using a syringe, you need something really tiny to get in there.

 

http://www.toddcosuspensions.com/diiifrdrmare.html

 

The centering ball kit doesn't include the CV head seal the OP was referring to.