I need to know if this driveshaft is the genuine non-serviceable shaft or an aftermarket shaft. I took it out of the box the other day so I could start the process or installing new u-joints when I noticed a small hole on the shaft itself. Looks like it could be a hole for a grease nipple fitting but Im not to sure. Does the genuine front driveshaft have a hole like this in the shaft itself? Based on all the information provided on this forum I always assumed there was no hole for a grease nipple to be installed thus a non-serviceable front driveshaft. Please help.

 

Looks like it could be gen. or aftermarket non-serviceable centering ball

 

could a grease fitting be installed in the whole thus solving the problem? Id like to rebuild this driveshaft with 3 new u-joints and add a grease fitting if possible.

 

negative, you could rebuild it with all new joints if you wanted. Don't you already have a proshaft?

 

Id like to rebuild it then sell it cause I need money for the new retreads Im saving up for. Also have a brand new motor rad thermostat I need to sell.

 

You wont have a significant turn around on that driveshaft that will make it worth your time since they sell reman one's for cheap now. Just save and wait a little while longer.

 

TRIARII, that shaft looks original to me from an earlier 1998-2002 D2 but with one minor exception, it appears that the single UJ has been replaced with a greaseable zerk type. Otherwise the cardan Hookes joint looks original. From memory the 2003/2004 shaft has certain differences, typically, the slider portion was on longitudinal rows of ball bearings internally and not splines.

 

Do you have a source for these? They seem to be about $300 online and I can not find a place to rebuild one.
thanks,

 

Ill still go ahead with the rebuild and then see what happens. Either ill sell it or use it as a backup. Im still curious about that little hole though.

 

I would guess that it is for a grease zerk, but a few years ago, I witnessed a car on fire and noticed the firemen hosing down the underside of the car. They told me it was to cool the driveshaft as they could build up pressure with the heat from the fire and explode from the expansion of trapped air. Never found out if this was true or not but it makes a nice story..