Superlift 4" kit installed!!!!! Driveshaft problems :-(

[Jamieh560]

I finally just my kit on my 97 sport. I love it to death..... Awesome kit.... Rides better than it ever did stock I have probably 500 miles on it since I put the kit and I pulled in the garage and looked and there's grease all over the transfer case....... It came from the pancake of the stock front driveshaft......The boot split open..... I know that the stock one doesn't last long but dang!!!! I know the superlift shaft is around 400 bucks.... I thought about get one made.... I want to go the cheapest route but the most dependable route...... If I get my stock shaft lengthen and with the dual carbon joint will the be ok???? Has anyone went that route??? What would Ya'll do??? Thanks for any help...

 

[gavin]

I finally just my kit on my 97 sport. I love it to death..... Awesome kit.... Rides better than it ever did stock I have probably 500 miles on it since I put the kit and I pulled in the garage and looked and there's grease all over the transfer case....... It came from the pancake of the stock front driveshaft......The boot split open..... I know that the stock one doesn't last long but dang!!!! I know the superlift shaft is around 400 bucks.... I thought about get one made.... I want to go the cheapest route but the most dependable route...... If I get my stock shaft lengthen and with the dual carbon joint will the be ok???? Has anyone went that route??? What would Ya'll do??? Thanks for any help...

yes, that will work. Many people have done it, insteading of buying a new one.

 

[BigDakota]

I vote for the U-joints...strong and more options in putting together a strong link between your power points!!!

 

[gavin]

I vote for the U-joints...strong and more options in putting together a strong link between your power points!!!

I'm pretty sure he was talkin about that, since he mentioned a double-cardan joint

but yeah... definately go with u-joints, as the cv-joint is total crap at stock height

 

[BigDakota]

I'm pretty sure he was talkin about that, since he mentioned a double-cardan joint

hmmmmmm.......Ya Think!!

 

[gavin]

yeah... maybe I read your post wrong. I dunno.

 

[Jamieh560]

Thanks guys!!!! Does anyone know of a price range of getting a machine shop to lengthen and put the dual carbon joint on? I'm so broke after lift, rims , and tires.....lol I thought the damn thing would last alittle while like they said... Thanks guys for any help

 

[BigDakota]

I had a BII front d-shaft done for 50 Bucks...I had them cut off the yokes and put them on another d-shaft that was not bent and they balanced it..I installed the new ujoints...total cost with parts was around $100....
It all depends on how much the new stuff or parts yard stuff will cost you...I suggest you call around and get some quotes on parts and machine shop prices.
I am just guessing but, $200 may be in the ball park of costs for you!

 

[CougarX]

If you want something with a warranty and you have an O'Reilly's Auto Parts in your area I've got another idea.

A couple years ago I had to get a new front driveshaft for my AWD because the CV went out of mine. Ford wanted $500 for a new one so I looked elsewhere. The only parts store I found that could order it was O'Reilly's Auto Parts. I believe it only ran around $200 and had a lifetime warranty. When I ordered it they said something about it being an "upgraded" design that was better then the factory CV. When I got the shaft, It had a single U-joint at the axle end and a double cardan at the transfer case end.

This shaft is the same length as the factory shaft and it even has about a 4" slip yoke in it for some extra play. I've had this shaft for two years now and havn't had a single problem or vibration. It is also greasable for those that like water and mud.

I've got the Superlift front shaft on my Sport Trac (the previous owner put it on) and as far as I can tell it is almost an identical design to the one on my AWD from O'Reilly and cost half as much. It has a lifetime warranty to boot!

I'd recommend this, its at least worth checking out. Mine was a V8 AWD drive application but I would assume this "upgraded" design applies to all the Explorer front shafts since they all had the CV.

Here's O'Reillys site. www.oreillyauto.com

If there is one close to you you can go in and have one ordered and shipped to the store for free. If they get it in and its not what you want they just send it back so you're not out anything.

 

[gavin]

If you want something with a warranty and you have an O'Reilly's Auto Parts in your area I've got another idea.

A couple years ago I had to get a new front driveshaft for my AWD because the CV went out of mine. Ford wanted $500 for a new one so I looked elsewhere. The only parts store I found that could order it was O'Reilly's Auto Parts. I believe it only ran around $200 and had a lifetime warranty. When I ordered it they said something about it being an "upgraded" design that was better then the factory CV. When I got the shaft, It had a single U-joint at the axle end and a double cardan at the transfer case end.

This shaft is the same length as the factory shaft and it even has about a 4" slip yoke in it for some extra play. I've had this shaft for two years now and havn't had a single problem or vibration. It is also greasable for those that like water and mud.

I've got the Superlift front shaft on my Sport Trac (the previous owner put it on) and as far as I can tell it is almost an identical design to the one on my AWD from O'Reilly and cost half as much. It has a lifetime warranty to boot!

I'd recommend this, its at least worth checking out. Mine was a V8 AWD drive application but I would assume this "upgraded" design applies to all the Explorer front shafts since they all had the CV.

Here's O'Reillys site. www.oreillyauto.com

If there is one close to you you can go in and have one ordered and shipped to the store for free. If they get it in and its not what you want they just send it back so you're not out anything.

happen to know who the manufacturer is, and/or the manufacturer part #?
and does the double-carden end have a circular flange to bolt onto the t-case, instead of using an adapter? Unfortunately we don't have any O'Reilly's up here in AK, and the parts stores we DO have, have no clue about the "upgraded" version. And a custom unit would be a bit more spendy.

I'm tryin to find the info on O'Reilly's website, but it's apparently bein gay and not comin up with anything

 

[CougarX]

I don't remember the manufacturer or part number off the top of my head. I could look at the tag on the driveshaft but my AWD is a few hundred miles away until christmas when I can pick it up and bring it back to St. Louis.

It does have a flat circular flange that blots right up to the factory t-case. Mine came with a set of shorter bolts for the new flange because the long ones from the factory shaft wouldn't work.

I'll get on O'Reilly's site and see if I can find it. If I remember correctly, I think AutoZone or Advance Auto listed the same part and number in their system but they couldn't order it so you might check with them for a number.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I have ran into this problem -- I am going with the Superlift shaft now to save me trouble and headache.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147748

-Drew

EDIT: u-joints are way strong. That is another reason to why I'm going with the superlift shaft even though it cost a pretty penny

 

[SteveO2569]

im runnin the 4in superlift as well and i went ahead and bought the superlift driveshaft to go with the whole package and it was about 410$, the reason i did this is bc i was told it would cost around the same to lengthen my stock shaft and figured i might as well get a brand new and stronger driveshaft just so i dont run into any problems in the future, the thought of spendin only 400 on a new shaft compared to keepin my 6 year old driveshaft sounded better but thats just me, cant go wrong either way