Drive shaft questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 08-09-2020, 09:09 AM

I de-greased, power washed, rust preventative, and painted my frame. Now I'm staring at an ugly drive shaft assembly on my C30. While I still have everything uncovered I was thinking maybe I should pull it and the big bearing assembly in the middle to clean it up real well.

Considering the age should I take this whole assembly to the drive shaft place and have it serviced? New u-joints, check the balance and what ever else they do? Ill contact one of the board vendors to see if they have the correct carrier bearing. Ive never dealt with one of these double drive shafts before. Ive only ever had to deal with the 4x4's.

Any tips are appreciated.

**special-K** · 08-09-2020, 11:14 AM

I'll pull it, clean it, and paint it. If the u-joint has no play I wouldn't replace it. If it's been lubed properly it should not have worn out. Best way to check is truck in gear, take a big screwdriver slip it through the yoke ears, and pry in the direction of rotation. There should be no slop, no clank from that area. The rear (differential) will have a little movement. I would also check the pinion yoke for movement in the housing (up/down/side to side). If you want to replace u-joints anyway, get a greaseable Spicer and replace it before the paint. I've always done my own, very easy to do. Same with the carrier bearing, before disassembly check the bushing and bearing for excessive movement. The bushing will allow some, but you'll know sloppy when you see it. I bought a N.O.S. one for the '70 CST/30 Custom Camper I had but the original was fine. I have since sold that.

If you don't see any dings or dents I doubt the shaft is bent. Unless it looks like it spun wear marks in itself (gouges) on something. Certainly, if you are having the u-joints replaced by a professional, have the alignment checked. Actually, it's the balance that matters most.

CG · 08-09-2020, 11:31 AM

Ok, great! Good info .. Ill do the tests you recommended and if all is good Ill just get it cleaned up and painted.

Andy4639 · 08-09-2020, 11:48 AM

If your gonna pull it to clean it and paint it I'd go ahead and service it no matter. This way you want have to pull it again in 6 months when it does need it. Saves your paint job and having to pull it out again. My 2 cents worth.
Has it ever been serviced before? If not then yes for sure to have it done now while it's out anyway.

Not that Tim's way isn't OK either. But if the drive line has been in there for ever it may go out at anytime.

08-09-2020, 09:09 AM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,789	Drive shaft questions I de-greased, power washed, rust preventative, and painted my frame. Now I'm staring at an ugly drive shaft assembly on my C30. While I still have everything uncovered I was thinking maybe I should pull it and the big bearing assembly in the middle to clean it up real well. Considering the age should I take this whole assembly to the drive shaft place and have it serviced? New u-joints, check the balance and what ever else they do? Ill contact one of the board vendors to see if they have the correct carrier bearing. Ive never dealt with one of these double drive shafts before. Ive only ever had to deal with the 4x4's. Any tips are appreciated. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

08-09-2020, 11:14 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Drive shaft questions I'll pull it, clean it, and paint it. If the u-joint has no play I wouldn't replace it. If it's been lubed properly it should not have worn out. Best way to check is truck in gear, take a big screwdriver slip it through the yoke ears, and pry in the direction of rotation. There should be no slop, no clank from that area. The rear (differential) will have a little movement. I would also check the pinion yoke for movement in the housing (up/down/side to side). If you want to replace u-joints anyway, get a greaseable Spicer and replace it before the paint. I've always done my own, very easy to do. Same with the carrier bearing, before disassembly check the bushing and bearing for excessive movement. The bushing will allow some, but you'll know sloppy when you see it. I bought a N.O.S. one for the '70 CST/30 Custom Camper I had but the original was fine. I have since sold that. If you don't see any dings or dents I doubt the shaft is bent. Unless it looks like it spun wear marks in itself (gouges) on something. Certainly, if you are having the u-joints replaced by a professional, have the alignment checked. Actually, it's the balance that matters most. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-09-2020, 11:31 AM	#3
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,789	Re: Drive shaft questions Ok, great! Good info .. Ill do the tests you recommended and if all is good Ill just get it cleaned up and painted. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

08-09-2020, 11:48 AM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Drive shaft questions If your gonna pull it to clean it and paint it I'd go ahead and service it no matter. This way you want have to pull it again in 6 months when it does need it. Saves your paint job and having to pull it out again. My 2 cents worth. Has it ever been serviced before? If not then yes for sure to have it done now while it's out anyway. Not that Tim's way isn't OK either. But if the drive line has been in there for ever it may go out at anytime. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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