Front Driveshaft Centering Ball
 

So I rebuilt the front driveshaft about a month ago. All new greaseable u-joints and a new centering ball. I started hearing chirping lately, then it turned to grinding. I removed the front shaft and just got done taking it apart. All the u-joints are still good but the centering ball is toast.

So assuming I didn't screw up installing the center ball joint, what would destroy one of these in about a month?

Thanks for any help.

could one, two or three pin bearings have gotten out during installation?

You don't really hear of them failing after a rebuild, maybe you just got a bad one.

I was pretty careful about the pins. I looked at it a little more and it looks like the rubber cover that goes over it is torn on one side. Maybe debris got in there or something. Any clue where to get a new rubber cover? It looks like it might be a part of the shaft?

Bite the bullet and buy a complete new front driveshaft assy, you don't want this thing to blow apart going down the road, I've seen them come throught the floor and also take out transmission case, and that can really be expensive to fix. The reason they go bad is the cat convertor is right next to it, those things get very hot and dry the grease up in the joint...bad design.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Here is a link to a pic of the rubber boot I was talking about. Trying to save spending $300. I'm a goverment employee, trying to save your tax dollars :)

Thanks for the help, guess I'll have to make the trek to the dealer.

I just checked on rover north with that part number and it was the wrong one. I will call the dealer back and see if they have the right one. That part number was the GAITER.

I just called another Denver Rover place and they do not sell that part. they suggested looking at a drive shatf repair shop. I need one too so if I find one I will let you know.