Front drive shaft that goes beneath driver broken! HELP!!

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:14 pm

Hi Guys. The shell that goes over the shaft has cracked at the back end and is making a wonderful high pitch clanking sound when driving. What is the actual name for this shaft? My mechanic stated that it will cost about 500 bucks for a new one. He stated he could send it up to a machine shop and see if they could weld/fix it. Does this happen a lot and what have folks done to fix it? does that price sound right. My mechanic is not a crook so i'm not worried he's trying to rake me..just wanted a little info..thanks,Mattymac

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:24 pm

sorry I posted this in the wrong section.. its a 2004 Liberty Renegade by the way...

jdumont · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:38 pm

Front driveshaft for your vehicle is about $350 depending on exactly which one you have ($325 or $385).

www.rockauto.com

I took my two half shafts and front driveshaft out this weekend and am running 2wd right now. Driveshaft took about 20 min to get out. Qty (6) 8mm head bolts per side. Bolts right to the tranny and transfer case.

I would think $500 for a new one from your mech is prob fair. Save the extra $150 and get a toy though!

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:49 pm

got a used one for $99.00 shipped

Easy to R&R yourself

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:57 pm

He got me one for $450, charged me $520 in total for the job. the one he got has 2 u-joints on both ends. Looks really different than the stock, he stated it would be easier/cheaper to replace if it went again..thanks for the thoughts..

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:14 pm

MattyMac1 wrote:

He got me one for $450, charged me $520 in total for the job. the one he got has 2 u-joints on both ends. Looks really different than the stock, he stated it would be easier/cheaper to replace if it went again..thanks for the thoughts..

Could you post a pic? Where did he get the driveshaft?

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:35 am

I thought Tom Woods was the only one that had the conversion for the shaft. Give us a picture I need to see it

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:22 am

JE Reel also makes one. Im sure any custom DS shop could fab one up pretty easily though.

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

Hood297 wrote:

JE Reel also makes one. Im sure any custom DS shop could fab one up pretty easily though.

Yeah, a local shop here did mine with U-Joints and a larger shaft. I love it

JTClimber · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:00 pm

Just installed a custom drive shaft in mine. Way overkill, new yoke, slipshaft and all. Will far outlast this KJ.

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 12:15 am

Hi, Sorry for the late reply. I'll take a pic if you still want to see it.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 12:18 am

jeepkj02 wrote:

MattyMac1 wrote:

He got me one for $450, charged me $520 in total for the job. the one he got has 2 u-joints on both ends. Looks really different than the stock, he stated it would be easier/cheaper to replace if it went again..thanks for the thoughts..

Could you post a pic? Where did he get the driveshaft?

Napa is starting to put out the conversion to... I just did one on my buddy's 05 crd.... IIRC it was about 475 for the 21 inch long one

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 12:19 am

need pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 12:20 am

have you had any vibration issues? Everyone that i have talked to is having problems at 70+

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

I have no problems with my Tom Woods drive shaft. Had it installed over a year now

. No vibration problems.

sharky · **Posted:** Sun May 31, 2009 6:10 pm

Some pics of the convertion would help in case we want to replace them !

Thanks :roll:

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

Here are my pics. Not sure who you are asking for pictures from but this is what mine looks like. Very happy with it. Make sure they move that o2 sensor wire out of the way of the U-joint. Mine is currently split in half.

sharky · **Posted:** Sun May 31, 2009 7:54 pm

Great looking driveshaft, i have another Question regarding the underliner above the tranny and tranfer case do you think it's needed mine is falling off due to mud buildup and gunk?

Guest · **Posted:** Sun May 31, 2009 8:38 pm

sharky wrote:

Great looking driveshaft, i have another Question regarding the underliner above the tranny and tranfer case do you think it's needed mine is falling off due to mud buildup and gunk?

Would a manufacturer whose concern is the bottom line put something like that on a car if it wasn't needed?

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

Is it a fiberglass like material? If so yeah, it blocks heat from coming into your cabin. If not and it's not metal then it's probably just a sound insulator, which you don't really need if you can deal with it. I'm betting on heat insulation. Haven't crawled under my heep to look at it.

BTW the drive shaft they installed on mine is a lot larger than the factory one so trimming/etc was required to make it fit. Also the U-Joints and front of the shaft have grease fittings

Front drive shaft that goes beneath driver broken! HELP!!

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