How to shorten a driveshaft in a hurry??

[NYLES]

Well think I figured out why my T case was about to fall out about a month ago, appears my front drive shaft is too long, MAYBE 1/2 a inch at the most before it bottoms out!

So all that said how do I shorten it before next week? Can I just chop saw it grind shaft off the splined piece put it back in the tube and reweld it?

Any bad effects from using a unbalanced front drive shaft? It does have a CV.

 

[shamu]

Aint there a drive shaft repair place around you.

 

[Skiddy]

that's what i would do for now, just try and get it back on as straight as possible. i wouldn't run it in 4x4 fast slow going on the trails i think you would be fine.

 

[JWMcCrary]

Nyles, you sure make it interesting preparing for opening day, lol

 

[NYLES]

Aint there a drive shaft repair place around you.

Thats funny! Only place I know of is jackson powertrain, never get it built by tomm

Shamu you ever been to Yazoo MS? If not you gotta visit!

 

[NYLES]

Nyles, you sure make it interesting preparing for opening day, lol

Well I noted that looks kinda long other night (remember I lifted the front a lil more when I swapped all my springs) then after bout 1000 miles Damn? T case bout to fall out.....WELL IT ALL JUST MADE SENSE.......cant help Im slow sometimes remember I did hit my head once!!!

Its all good like I said gonna be one busy weekend!!! makes OCBR that much more fun!

 

[sprdv1]

Nyles, you sure make it interesting preparing for opening day, lol

LOL, there's always the parking lot option.

 

[Skiddy]

LOL, there's always the parking lot option.

I will be doing the weld inspection in the parking lot;D

 

[Revelation]

Nyles, Just did this for Crewwzins front.
Take the shaft out, pull the slip joint apart, be sure to mark it!!
Cut the tube 1/2 inch from the end where it intersects the spline part. After it is cut off you can look inside the tube and see how it is on there, take a cut off wheel and slowly cut the tube from the spline part. after the 1/2 inch piece is removed you just tap the splines back into the end of the tube, be sure everything is lined up before you tap it in, if you have a lathe, put the shaft in that to ensure it is true before welding, Then weld it up, NO BOOGER WELDS as there will be an inspection as stated above.

 

[NYLES]

Lathe? Man this gonna be pure shade tree but i can handle it!

Your saying cut the splines loose from the tube with cut off wheel by going around the outside of the tube? After Ive cut the tube so I can see the inside, If so I got ya!

I know about the 1/2" lip on the splines, makes sense

 

[Revelation]

you should be able to cut the 1/2" off the tube without getting into the lip on the spline part.

CUT ON RED LINE

 

[NYLES]

you should be able to cut the 1/2" off the tube without getting into the lip on the spline part.

CUT ON RED LINE

Yea I got that, whats the best way to take the old weld of the splined piece? bout all I know is grind the outside until I can seperate the tube from the splines deburr, make pretty and weld into the tube straight as possiable.

Now how much tube should I remove? Shaft as is, is about bottomed out maybe still a 1/2" from it

 

[Revelation]

Use a cut off wheel and slowly rotate the piece and cut at the red line, be sure to not go deeper than the thickness of the tube.
Before you cut it i would measure center to center to find the length, then pull the shaft, center the slip joint and measure, subtract the first measurement from the second, measure on the spline section from where the tube starts and measure the length that needs to be cut off, lets say 2 inches, measure down, mark and cut there in a chop saw. get the piece of tube off the spline section, press/tap back together and weld ( no booger welds) Most of all check for alignment and trueness PRIOR to welding.

 

[NYLES]

Ive got 1/4 to 1/2 inch here

 

[Revelation]

OUCh thats close. I think it should be at least an inch or two. Does it go Thump Thump when you hit bumps?

 

[NYLES]

Should be no troubles, take my time Ill get it right!



Skiddy I bet ya it dont break? weld it pretty jus for you

 

[Skiddy]

we will see, but if you put them 40's on all bets are off;D

 

[NYLES]

OUCh thats close. I think it should be at least an inch or two. Does it go Thump Thump when you hit bumps?

Not that ive noticed but my Tcase was about to fall out not too long ago! I paid more attention to fixin the leaks and tighting it back up than the why...but this would explain it all. Cant hear shit in my Bronco cept exhaust and stero and of course it doesnt do it just tippin around

 

[Revelation]

Be sure to check the case real good for cracks, one good thump and the cast can crack.

 

[bax]

What is bottoming out? the shaft hitting on the inside of the yoke or the slip yoke hitting the shoulder of the shaft?