Driveshaft rebuild

[SvtLdr]

I went to a local shop to have my TJ's Tom Wood driveshaft lengthened 10" to fit my LJ. I called for a quote, expecting it to be close to the price of a new one because of how much there is on the internet advising people to just buy a new one every time they have any sort of driveline issue. The quote over the phone was $120, and when I took it in 2 weeks later they had it turned around that afternoon, and final price was only $92, balanced and painted. I waited til the next morning to pick it up to give the paint some time to dry

I thought I remembered hearing that Tom Woods will alter the length on any of his previously sold driveshafts for a reduced rate (plus shipping both ways). Does anyone know if this is accurate?

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I thought I remembered hearing that Tom Woods will alter the length on any of his previously sold driveshafts for a reduced rate (plus shipping both ways). Does anyone know if this is accurate?

no idea, but it would be hard to lengthen it and ship it both ways and come in under $92. I think shipping was ~$30 when I bought it, and now it's 10" longer and heavier, so he'd have to be lengthening it for $20.

 

[SvtLdr]

Agreed. $92 is very reasonable for 10 more inches of shaft.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Agreed. $92 is very reasonable for 10 more inches of shaft.

I could have gone a few blocks over from that shop and paid the same for one or two inches. And it would only have been temporary.

 

[SvtLdr]

I could have gone a few blocks over from that shop and paid the same for one or two inches. And it would only have been temporary.

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to reply on that one... Well played, sir.

 

[LJBean]

Rebuilding a driveshaft is not too difficult once you get the gist of how the centering yolk mechanism disassembles and reasembles. That said, replacing the dust boot on the centering yolk can be a PIA if you don't have the right size steel pipe or socket to seat the ring. Just make sure you mark all of the yolks (and shaft in case it separates at the splines), and the H yolk for both rotational position and front/back orientation. If it doesn't go back together exactly the same, you are apt to introduce vibes. Also, I've had better longevity with dana spicer sealed (not greasable) u joints and centering ball kit.

 

[SvtLdr]

no idea, but it would be hard to lengthen it and ship it both ways and come in under $92. I think shipping was ~$30 when I bought it, and now it's 10" longer and heavier, so he'd have to be lengthening it for $20.

I reached out to Tom Woods about this and here's the reply:

If you send the shaft to be lengthened we just charge $60 to lengthen and re-balance it and another $10 to ship it UPS Ground back to you.

Seems pretty reasonable if someone is really wanting TW to do the work. In your case though, you would of had to ship your shaft to TW for just $22 in order to come in at the same total. Probably gonna cost more than that for shipping...

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I reached out to Tom Woods about this and here's the reply:

If you send the shaft to be lengthened we just charge $60 to lengthen and re-balance it and another $10 to ship it UPS Ground back to you.

Seems pretty reasonable if someone is really wanting TW to do the work. In your case though, you would of had to ship your shaft to TW for just $22 in order to come in at the same total. Probably gonna cost more than that for shipping...

That's close enough that cost shouldn't be a factor if someone wants TW to do it. Thanks for checking on that, it's good to know.

 

[SvtLdr]

That's close enough that cost shouldn't be a factor if someone wants TW to do it. Thanks for checking on that, it's good to know.

I agree. If time wasn't a factor I would certainly send it back to TW. I've got nothing but good things to say about them. Their quality and customer service is always top notch and I plan to continue doing business with TW in the future.