If I wanted to rebuild my own, is it just ordering the parts and bolting them on or is there any special balancing or special tools/ equipment involved?

Is there a parts list? Mine is the 3-point grease fitting shaft. I only drive on-road and I have 165k. Already replaced a U-joint 2 years ago. If I can be safe and just rebuild it I would be happy.

 

Sure you can rebuild it. Oreillys stocks the Ujoints and centering-ball. 3 Ujoints @$25 each and $45 for the c-ball kit, but yeah I got everything from there. Grease the Ujoint on the back driveshaft before ordering parts because if the fresh grease isnt released from all 4 caps, then you need to rebuild that one too. My RotoFlex wasn't in good shape so I bought another doughnut and went all the way on the back DS too. Removing the circlips was the hardest part of the job for me so I suggest buying a nice set of heavy duty reversible circlip pliers with all the different fittings included. Jumbo clamp. Impact drill. Various sized sockets. I also used some different picks and small screwdrivers getting the clips out. Oh yeah, you will want to identify exactly how the driveshafts are installed/oriented/bolted. It's best that it goes back on in the same position that it is on there now. Use a punch, file, paint, etc.

 

One more thing, you will want to buy one extra Ujoint because you will inevitably botch one of them because the bearings don't always stay in place. If and when you bend or crush one, that Ujoint becomes useless and you won't know it until it's already damaged as the cup will not seat all the way down behind the clip recess. you are always pressing on 2 opposing caps full of needle bearings and you are bound to lose one.

 

I'll just leave this here.

https://landroverforums.com/forum/ge...rebuild-29302/

 

If you don't accomplish to do that the extra one will fit the rear shaft as well.

Good place to start and probably all you need.

I was unfamiliar with the CV aspect/joint and found a non LR thread that has some good photos of it as well.
Rebuilding a Double Cardan Joint (Vid/Pics) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
......

 

OK, Plan B:
My garage isn't yet set up as a workshop. No bench, no vice, etc. If I want to order a replacement shaft, already built, where's the go to place?

Thanks!

 

Lucky8 has em for 200.00 if I'm not mistaken.

 

$228

Front Driveshaft : Front Driveshaft

 

OK, so my main question: is this something that EVERY Disco owner should just replace no matter what? I do no off-road, no lift kit, just city driving. I don't mind doing it, just curious if everyone has done it?

 

Yes! I'm sorry you're not getting it...
Read the threads. You need to do this or it will fail and most likely take the tranny with it. It doesn't matter what kind of driving you do or don't do.