I took my truck to get its U joints replaced and the shop told me that they will only do a replacement of the joints and rebalance of the driveshaft at the same time. I cant just get the joints replaced.I was quoted somewhere around $300.00. Seems steep to me. Is this necessary? I know its never been done before but I have no issues with the driveshaft now.I just know the U joints are old and I want to get them replaced before I have an issue while driving.
must driveshaft be balanced?
- Thread starter E150GT
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Take it somewhere else
That shop may just be worried about warrantying the work if they think an unbalanced driveshaft will cause the new u-joints to fail early.
I agree though--take it somewhere else.
I agree though--take it somewhere else.
Originally Posted By: Jimzz
Unless the u-joint failed badly and damaged the drive-shaft just replace the u-joints and drive.
Nope. that is what I am trying to avoid
Unless the u-joint failed badly and damaged the drive-shaft just replace the u-joints and drive.
Nope. that is what I am trying to avoid
Just dropped my Toyota pickup drive shaft off at the drive line shop today. $40 to balance, and $7.50 labor each to remove and replace each u-joint. I supplied the two Spicer Life Series u-joints that cost me $40.
Find a power train shop, and take the shaft to them. Will be a lot cheaper that way.
Find a power train shop, and take the shaft to them. Will be a lot cheaper that way.
The driveshaft was balanced at the factory. If the U-joints can be installed either way, re-install them in the same position as the units you remove.
I've never re-balanced a driveshaft when replacing U-joints. If it's out of balance, at some transmission output shaft RPM, you will notice the vibration.
I've never re-balanced a driveshaft when replacing U-joints. If it's out of balance, at some transmission output shaft RPM, you will notice the vibration.
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Nah man its in South Texas. It has surface rust but its solid as a rock. I
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Nah man its in South Texas. It has surface rust but its solid as a rock. I
Thanks for the replies. I will most likely tell them to leave it alone unless they adjust their price accordingly. I understand a shop has to make money and I am not a lifelong customer but I still refuse to be taken.
Originally Posted By: E150GT
Originally Posted By: Trav
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Nah man its in South Texas. It has surface rust but its solid as a rock. I
That's what I figured but you never know sometimes vehicles find their way south for one reason or another or it gets used near salt water on boat ramps. You dont need a balance.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Nah man its in South Texas. It has surface rust but its solid as a rock. I
That's what I figured but you never know sometimes vehicles find their way south for one reason or another or it gets used near salt water on boat ramps. You dont need a balance.
Just mark it with either a marker, some spray paint or perhaps a paint stick and assemble the driveshaft exactly how it was before you replaced the u-joints and it does not need to be re-balanced. That shop is trying to take you for a ride.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: E150GT
Originally Posted By: Trav
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Nah man its in South Texas. It has surface rust but its solid as a rock. I
That's what I figured but you never know sometimes vehicles find their way south for one reason or another or it gets used near salt water on boat ramps. You dont need a balance.
This truck did spend a year down at the coast so it does have some surface rust on the frame and some bolts but nothing else. The grounds got pretty rusty but I need to replace those.
Originally Posted By: E150GT
Originally Posted By: Trav
Is the drive shaft all scaly rust? Where you are It might be fine but some of the drive shafts this vintage in the rust belt are terrible and should be balanced because some of the shafts weight is lost to rust.
If its clean and rust free and the original weight(s) is there than no you don't need it. $300 is outrageous anyway, find anther place.
Nah man its in South Texas. It has surface rust but its solid as a rock. I
That's what I figured but you never know sometimes vehicles find their way south for one reason or another or it gets used near salt water on boat ramps. You dont need a balance.
This truck did spend a year down at the coast so it does have some surface rust on the frame and some bolts but nothing else. The grounds got pretty rusty but I need to replace those.
I'm also in San Antonio. What shop quoted you that price?
There's Driveshaft Specialists near my house on McCullough just inside 410
8327 McCullough Avenue San Antonio Texas 78216 210-342-6622 http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/
My dad had some work done by them a while back. They were kind of expensive but my father said they did good work
Then there's Driveshafts unlimited over on the east side off WW White Rd.
150 South WW White Road San Antonio, TX 78219 210-333-5050 http://driveshaftsunlimitedstx.com/
I've had several driveshafts fixed or balanced here. The prices were reasonable and they did a good job with a quick turnaround. These were all driveshafts off the vehicle.
If you would rather just go to a local shop there's Seymours Garage just outside 410 on Speedway (right at Vance Jackson & 410) I was a tech there for a few years. I still refer people there and they've had nothing but good things to say. They aren't the cheapest shop around but they're honest and they stand behind their work.
8411 Speedway San Antonio Texas 78230 210-341-1171 http://www.seymoursgarage.com/
There's Driveshaft Specialists near my house on McCullough just inside 410
8327 McCullough Avenue San Antonio Texas 78216 210-342-6622 http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/
My dad had some work done by them a while back. They were kind of expensive but my father said they did good work
Then there's Driveshafts unlimited over on the east side off WW White Rd.
150 South WW White Road San Antonio, TX 78219 210-333-5050 http://driveshaftsunlimitedstx.com/
I've had several driveshafts fixed or balanced here. The prices were reasonable and they did a good job with a quick turnaround. These were all driveshafts off the vehicle.
If you would rather just go to a local shop there's Seymours Garage just outside 410 on Speedway (right at Vance Jackson & 410) I was a tech there for a few years. I still refer people there and they've had nothing but good things to say. They aren't the cheapest shop around but they're honest and they stand behind their work.
8411 Speedway San Antonio Texas 78230 210-341-1171 http://www.seymoursgarage.com/
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Are you capable off pulling the driveshaft yourself?
If so, you could take it to a driveshaft shop yourself to get the u joints changed and they could advise you if it needs to be balanced.
I have had 3 high mileage driveshafts checked for balance during a u joint change and all were off a bit and needed a rebalance.
If so, you could take it to a driveshaft shop yourself to get the u joints changed and they could advise you if it needs to be balanced.
I have had 3 high mileage driveshafts checked for balance during a u joint change and all were off a bit and needed a rebalance.
Originally Posted By: AdRock
I'm also in San Antonio. What shop quoted you that price?
There's Driveshaft Specialists near my house on McCullough just inside 410
8327 McCullough Avenue San Antonio Texas 78216 210-342-6622 http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/
My dad had some work done by them a while back. They were kind of expensive but my father said they did good work
Then there's Driveshafts unlimited over on the east side off WW White Rd.
150 South WW White Road San Antonio, TX 78219 210-333-5050 http://driveshaftsunlimitedstx.com/
I've had several driveshafts fixed or balanced here. The prices were reasonable and they did a good job with a quick turnaround. These were all driveshafts off the vehicle.
If you would rather just go to a local shop there's Seymours Garage just outside 410 on Speedway (right at Vance Jackson & 410) I was a tech there for a few years. I still refer people there and they've had nothing but good things to say. They aren't the cheapest shop around but they're honest and they stand behind their work.
8411 Speedway San Antonio Texas 78230 210-341-1171 http://www.seymoursgarage.com/
Thanks for the suggestions. I took it to Gus Mann Automotive. It turns out, they were going to sub it out, so they would have probably sent it to one of the drive shaft specialists here in SA and then marked it up. I don't want to say bad things about them. They didn't complain when I told them no I didn't want it done and they charged me a reasonable price to seal up my thermostat housing since I don't have the touch. They also didn't try to shove any BG flushes down my throat.
We took our Yaris to a shop here that is well known and advertised on AM radio. For a $150 repair, they suggested an additional $700 in BG flushes I kid you not. That really turns me off.
I'm also in San Antonio. What shop quoted you that price?
There's Driveshaft Specialists near my house on McCullough just inside 410
8327 McCullough Avenue San Antonio Texas 78216 210-342-6622 http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/
My dad had some work done by them a while back. They were kind of expensive but my father said they did good work
Then there's Driveshafts unlimited over on the east side off WW White Rd.
150 South WW White Road San Antonio, TX 78219 210-333-5050 http://driveshaftsunlimitedstx.com/
I've had several driveshafts fixed or balanced here. The prices were reasonable and they did a good job with a quick turnaround. These were all driveshafts off the vehicle.
If you would rather just go to a local shop there's Seymours Garage just outside 410 on Speedway (right at Vance Jackson & 410) I was a tech there for a few years. I still refer people there and they've had nothing but good things to say. They aren't the cheapest shop around but they're honest and they stand behind their work.
8411 Speedway San Antonio Texas 78230 210-341-1171 http://www.seymoursgarage.com/
Thanks for the suggestions. I took it to Gus Mann Automotive. It turns out, they were going to sub it out, so they would have probably sent it to one of the drive shaft specialists here in SA and then marked it up. I don't want to say bad things about them. They didn't complain when I told them no I didn't want it done and they charged me a reasonable price to seal up my thermostat housing since I don't have the touch. They also didn't try to shove any BG flushes down my throat.
We took our Yaris to a shop here that is well known and advertised on AM radio. For a $150 repair, they suggested an additional $700 in BG flushes I kid you not. That really turns me off.
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