I recently purchased a 2004 Land Rover Discovery. After a couple of months of ownership I am concerned about my front drive shaft. There is a wobble in the steering wheel between 45 mph and 50 mph. I also hear a chirping noise when the windows are down. I have found a local shop that will replaced the ujoints if I provide the parts but can not balance the shaft. I would appreciate some guidance on the following:
- If I re-build the drive shaft will it need to be balanced?
- There appear to be a number of ujoints that will do the job. Are any better than the others? Will some hold up longer?
- A new replacement drive shaft is possible. Do they come balanced? If I go this route is it just a matter of taking the old shaft out and putting the new one in? Eight bolts?

What else do I need to know? I have limited mechanical skills. Thanks for any feedback.

 

you should get it balanced, if not and it is out, it could lead to a myriad of problems. How much are they going to charge you? I just paid $161.50, parts and labor for the front driveshaft on my 2000 DII. I removed and replaced the shaft. You can also order a shaft from several sources and just bolt it on when it arrives. HOWEVER, from what you are describing, do not drive your truck. If it fails you will be sorry (with a 2004, you can take off the front driveshaft and lock the center differential and drive off of the rear wheels. Personally, I would do that tonight. By the way, the nuts on the driveshaft at 9/16ths, not 14 mm, I learned the hard way. You might also give them a squirt of PB Blaster an hour or so before you start. Good Luck. Phil

 

No the driveshaft should not need balancing.
Spicer and Eaton are the top brands of u-joints.
If you were just going to replace the driveshaft then yes, 8 bolts and 30 min in your driveway.

 

The shop that rebuilt my driveshaft balanced mine, no charge. Over the last 10 years, one of the weights had evidently come off and it was out of balance. Could have been the shop that the PO had replace ONLY ONE OF THE TWO U-JOINTS on the Double Cardon. Balancing can't hurt. Phil

 

Thanks for the feedback. If I supply the parts they said they would charge $55 for the labor.

 

Spike555, It looks like you are in Michigan also. Any guidance on where I can get the ujoints and centering ball kit? I have been looking on-line but am having some difficulty finding the right parts. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

NAPA carries them.

https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=29302

https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=30781

I do not know the part numbers but they are standard u-joints and centering ball kit.
So dont let them try and sell you something special for a Land Rover because there is nothing special about a u-joint.

 

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Res...+50065+2065006

I cant find the centering ball kit.

 

U-joints are a Precision 344 and centering ball is a Precision 617. NAPA should be able to cross over those part numbers since Precision is essentially Federal Mogul (major automotive manufacturer).

 

What causes the chirping noises??