Rear driveshaft questions

[mikey.wayne]

Hey guys im back. So I finally got the underside buttoned up and when I went to test drives it i learned VERY quickly that the knuckle on the rear drive shaft is loosey goosey. I called a local drive shaft shop and he quoted $600+ to rebuild and $400+ for a new one. I have a Tom Woods sticker under the hood. How do I identify if the axle is a tom woods? Also I will be on a 4" lift this weekend running 33's. Do I need an SYE? It has a 2.5 with a standard trans. Transfer case has a rebuilt tag on it. Rear axle is an 8.8. Thank you.

 

[OldBuzzard]

... the knuckle on the rear drive shaft is loosey goosey ...

Knuckle? U-joint, TC yoke?

Some good, well-lit pictures of the driveshaft might help. @Shawn at Tom Wood's should be able to ID it.

 

[mikey.wayne]

My apologies. Here is a pic of the driveshaft. The knuckle i am referring to is the double u joint at the transfer case. Sorry if my lingo isn't correct.

 

[cpwolf]

It’s a double cardan joint.

I can’t tell if it’s a Tom Wood’s or not. @Shawn at Tom Wood's might be able to tell by pics if it’s a TW.

 

[mikey.wayne]

It’s a double cardan joint.

I can’t tell if it’s a Tom Wood’s or not. @Shawn at Tom Wood's might be able to tell by pics.

I replaced with TW DS, if you’re going to put in a SYE I’d do that and then get a new TW Drive Shaft

But do i NEED a SYE?

 

[OldBuzzard]

You already have an SYE (Slip Yoke Eliminator) because your driveshaft does not have a slip yoke at the tailshaft of the TC, it has a double cardan joint instead.

 

[rasband]

But do i NEED a SYE?

Show a picture of the connection at the transfer case more clearly to confirm, but from what you showed - you already have eliminated the slip yoke (otherwise you wouldn't have a DC drive shaft).

 

[mikey.wayne]

Ok then it does already have a SYE. I just got this thing and am brand new to Jeeps so its all learning.

 

[Gilaguy23]

What a SYE does you already have in the driveshaft. And yeah , I believe I can see a droop where the front and rear sections meet. The splines are worn out and likely the U joints as well. No offence to anyone but $600 for a DS these days.....ouch.

 

[BDub]

While you are under there tighten and torque down that jam nut on your lower control arm. The others may need inspection as well.

 

[TheBoogieman]

No offence to anyone but $600 for a DS these days.....ouch.

Bidenomics in action. They're still working great..................for his family.
p.s. Your avatar brings back the days when I made money and didn't pay taxes. My Kool-Aid stand when I was 10 was a money maker.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Bidenomics in action. They're still working great..................for his family.

Dayum...I guess. Much the reason Im not doing much these days in the way of wrenching or modding. Id rather be able to eat ya know.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Dayum...I guess. Much the reason Im not doing much these days in the way of wrenching or modding. Id rather be able to eat ya know.

I never even get to drive my Jeep anymore. $1300 in rent for a small condo. Most in my town start at $1750. No tax on tips will help me greatly when it passes. No tax on SS and no income limits will too.

 

[Gilaguy23]

I feel for you. The world is a different place then it was once upon a time. Wish I was still workin if the no tax on OT happens. We got screwed on that one being on call and working days straight sometimes. Wish they'ed do away with property tax for us old farts. We just moved to Ky and they are killing us here. We went to the local farmers market last weekend. A normal size loaf of sour dough was. $14.99 at one vendor and $13.99 at another. Be the last time we go there. Hang tight, work hard and realize priorities. Pay now, play later or visa versa, your call.

 

[RHanna]

Hey guys im back. So I finally got the underside buttoned up and when I went to test drives it i learned VERY quickly that the knuckle on the rear drive shaft is loosey goosey. I called a local drive shaft shop and he quoted $600+ to rebuild and $400+ for a new one. I have a Tom Woods sticker under the hood. How do I identify if the axle is a tom woods? Also I will be on a 4" lift this weekend running 33's. Do I need an SYE? It has a 2.5 with a standard trans. Transfer case has a rebuilt tag on it. Rear axle is an 8.8. Thank you.

Damn, that shop does not want to rebuild that driveshaft.
How do you know the driveshaft is loose? I'd hate to see you replace the driveshaft with a new one if the problem is with the axle or the transfer case.

 

[mikey.wayne]

Damn, that shop does not want to rebuild that driveshaft.
How do you know the driveshaft is loose? I'd hate to see you replace the driveshaft with a new one if the problem is with the axle or the transfer case.

While I rolled it forward I watched the double cardan joint flop around like the u joints were complete toast.

 

[cpwolf]

This is a guy at home rebuilding one with a BFH and block of wood, plus parts and grease guy is what you'd need.

Not sure if you said you don't work on it yourself or not, but if you're replacing parts, not that hard.....if you're inclined. A new Tom Wood's DS is $399 on their site. You measure, they send it, and you bolt it up. Literally small wrenches and blue loctite is all you need.

 

[machoheadgames]

Is it just me or does that driveshaft look bent in the middle at the slip joint? Based on my initial impressions, I wouldn’t spend a dime trying to do anything to that driveshaft. This Jeep seems to have been severely abused based on the fact it showed up with no skid plate, I bet a lot of the drivetrain needs some refreshment.

 

[mikey.wayne]

Is it just me or does that driveshaft look bent in the middle at the slip joint? Based on my initial impressions, I wouldn’t spend a dime trying to do anything to that driveshaft. This Jeep seems to have been severely abused based on the fact it showed up with no skid plate, I bet a lot of the drivetrain needs some refreshment.

It may be. As stated we do not know any history. I do agree to move forward on a new shaft if bent. I have reached out to Tom Woods and will be sending it to them for inspection. I also have to drop the trans because we found a huge Crack in the bell housing. So will be replacing the clutch set up while in there. Not opposed to do the driveshaft myself if it is not bent and can be rebuilt.

 

[mikey.wayne]

This is a guy at home rebuilding one with a BFH and block of wood, plus parts and grease guy is what you'd need.

Not sure if you said you don't work on it yourself or not, but if you're replacing parts, not that hard.....if you're inclined. A new Tom Wood's DS is $399 on their site. You measure, they send it, and you bolt it up. Literally small wrenches and blue loctite is all you need.

I have zero issue doing all of the wrenching and showing my son how to do things himself. I have built MANY vehicles in the past this is just my first stab at 4x4. Also reaching out to Tom Woods IF this is one of their shafts they will do an inspection and refurbish it for me if possible. At that point im kind of in the middle do I let the experts that built this shaft redo it or try my hand at it and have the satisfaction of doing it myself.