V8 front driveshaft installation problems part

[Mbrooks420]

Is there a trick to putting the front driveshaft in a V8? I know there are 2 different lengths. I bought a crappy reman, and it failed. I'm almost positive the first shaft I purchased was the longer version. I returned it for another, and they gave me the short one. It was too short to fit. No matter what I did, I could not get it even close enough to fit.

I returned that one, and got the longer shaft. Of course, now it seems too long to fit. I'm at my wits end. Is there a trick to getting the shaft in? The first time I replaced the shaft I don't recall having any problems. I assume the cv end gets bolted to the t case first? If not maybe that is my problem. I can't see how the u joint clamps would get installed first, but I can't even figure out a simple drive shaft, so I could definitely be wrong. I need some help

 

[techieman33]

The cv end goes in first, I usually just put one or 2 bolts in enough to hold it then I compress the drive shaft back towards the cv, and usually end up with an extra inch or so of clearance to manuver the u-joint in to place, bolt it in, then go back and tighten down the cv side.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'll go out and give that a shot. Maybe I'll try and compress the shaft with a small pry bar. I couldn't get it to really compress, but then I didn't really try all that hard.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I am now thinking I need the shorter shaft. The one I have now is compressed all the way, and looks like it would technically fit if there was a way to fit it in there, but then it would have another 2 inches or so it could extend. The short shaft they sold me didn't extend like this one, I think maybe something inside the cv was messed up. I bolted that one to the t case, and in my trying to extend it to fit into the u-joint clamps I think something came apart inside of it. When I extended that one I could spin the shaft independent of the cv flange.

 

[my98nnj]

You have the correct drive shaft, but the CV has seperated internally. That's why it seems longer then necessary. Open up the CV joint, you will most likely find that the constant veloscity joint has come off the splined shaft. You will need to put the joint back onto the shaft, regrease it, put the boot back on and replace the band that holds the boot on. It's a messy job, but very easy to do.

Once the joint is back in place you'll gain another inch or two of space to install your drive shaft.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I think that happened to the short shaft I had. If it had come unsplined couldn't I spin the the shaft independent of the cv?

 

[my98nnj]

yes

 

[ericautopart]

If you take it apart your going to ruin the whole thing and may throw it out of balance. For lengths:

4.0- 24" weld to weld

5.0 - 23" weld to weld

 

[Mbrooks420]

It won't spin and seems to be correct, unlike the shorter shaft I had. I can't take it apart as I don't have a set of oedeker pliers. I've about had it with the front shaft on this thing.

 

[ericautopart]

It won't spin and seems to be correct, unlike the shorter shaft I had. I can't take it apart as I don't have a set of oedeker pliers. I've about had it with the front shaft on this thing.

I'd be curious to know what you paid for the thing? If you want a New / OEM shaft that's the right size..let me know.

 

[Mbrooks420]

$190 after the core return. As far as buying another I am broke as a joke since my machine shop closed. I wonder if China would like to pick up the tab for taking my job. Probably not.

 

[ericautopart]

You and everybody else. Trust me, we're all slow right now.

 

[jeffhny]

Initially ran into the same problem as you. There is a mount with right next to the neck of the diff. Take the bolt out of the mount and you are good to go. You'll see how easy it is to install the driveshaft once the front diff moves freely. Also, there's a nut on top of that bolt, you'll see it's self locking once the tab fits in the slot. Now if I can only find a driveshaft that isn't out of balance.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I got mine figured out. I had the wrong shaft. I thought I needed a long one since the slip yoke was messed up on the short shaft they gave me. I got a functional short one, and it was installed in 20 minutes with no muss,no fuss, no bother.