My drive shaft keeps breaking!!!! Major problem

[xratt]

First, I got the truck running, using the old home made 2-part drive shaft that came in the truck. Someone custom shortened it and stick welded on the output shaft. Well with all the new ujoints and carrier bearing support, it did not make it around the block before it broke the carrier bearing support off the truck and everything hit the ground.

So I pulled the shaft and had it rebuilt. $246 later, I had a newly painted, repiped and new yoked shaft. It's been 3 weeks now. Well last night it broke the carrier bearing support again. So my ride is sitting downtown, on the side of the road. Not good.

Any ideas on whats going on? it's got a 350th trans, and a stock rearend. All new parts in the middle. Now my ride is super low and has incorrect drive angles. C-notch in the rear. Would this cause things to break?

[TheDark1]

If it broke that fast, it sounds like something is in a bind. Does it bottom out on the output shaft or at the support bearing? You need about an inch of travel for it to slide as you go over bumps. Is the truck on air or a static drop?

[70 Suburban]

can also look at a heavy duty carrier. Yes if you do not have the correct drive angle this can cause problems.

[truckdrivinsob]

Had to get a slip shaft put on my drive line since my truck was lowered. Maybe drive shaft is pushing on carrier and snaping it off?

[xratt]

My truck is on air. It can almost put the bumper on the ground. I pulled the shaft out and had it welded at my buddies shop. This time I had it bad ass tig welded. We will see how long it goes. I am going by the drive line shop to have them look at it for proper angle. But I'm broke with the holidays and oh yeah, no job. So advice is what I'm looking for.

[onequickchevy]

Might be time to junkyard crawl for a one piece shaft. It will be stronger in my opinion. Less points to break always seems like a better idea. Good luck with this, and finding a new job!

[Hottrucks]

subscribed....my 2 piece vibes when I'm to low and going fast you can feel it come in to it as the air bags drop tap up and it goes away so I'm asumming its angle /// I think a wedge maybe in order yo corret pinion angle?...looking for more input..

[Joemomma1]

Head to the wreckers. Lots of 1 piece aluminums right now due to the cash for clunkers deal. Some are bent up but you can find them. I just picked up a spare for $15. Out of a ranger I believe, nice and thick. If you have other issues than just a weak bearing this wont help the problem.

[Captainfab]

It sounds lke you may have angle problems for one, but I'm willing to bet that you have that whimpy a$$ carrier bearing that hangs from the top of the crossmember? There's really no need to go to a 1 piece, you just need the heavier carrier bearing and the corresponding heavier 2 piece driveshaft.

[Woogeroo]

CaptainFab,

there is a heavier/more sturdy carrier bearing?

Does it mount in the same place?

Please give us more details.

two piece drive shaft pictures with carrier bearing

-W

[Captainfab]

Yeah, that's the whimpy one in your pics Woogeroo. Don't see too many like that around here, I wouldn't trust those in anything more than a stock I6. I don't know what GM was thinking when they came up with that POS

Here's a pic of the heavier one that I'm talking about. They were available on C10's and larger. My '63 C60 has the same carrier bearings and same size driveshafts.

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

CaptainFab,

there is a heavier/more sturdy carrier bearing?

Does it mount in the same place?

Please give us more details.

two piece drive shaft pictures with carrier bearing

-W

[xratt]

yeah, my carrier bearing support is very wimpy looking. Took Autozone three tries to get me the right one. It's the one with the mounting bolts front and back. Seems most of them had mounting bolts left and right, a better design in my opinion.

Well I had my buddy weld the mess out of this carrier now. Tig welded solid beads down both sides. So if it breaks now, I will be amazed. I also thought of another colperate. I'm pretty sure my back wheels are out of balance. I just had new tires put on the back a few weeks ago. A not so fancy, cheapy place. Well I can tell I have a little more vibration in the rear. So I plan on fixing that next week. Hopefully that helps too

[ampsyco]

make sure your driveshaft angle is good. if your trucks lowered that might be why. wrong angles will rip a driveshaft to shreds in no time.

[ampsyco]

just saw your other thread.


you need a new driveshaft. that weld wont hold. you also have to remember that the driveshaft has balance. if you had it welded and not rebalanced your not fixing anything.

an out of balance drive shaft can make bad things happen.


id say get a new shaft. new u joints and check your angles. looks like that rear suspension isnt factory. so check your angles.

[BR3W CITY]

x1000 on angle. my bagged s10 had a 2 peice shaft, could get very shaky at certain heights, could chew ujoints if driven at full lift alot.
That aside, that drive shaft looks like $hit, I would replace it even if it werent the cause.

[Hottrucks]

did they make a LWB 1 piece driveshaft or do you have to have one made up??

I have a vib @ highway speed if I get at the wrong amount of drop or ds angle I was thinking of a axle wedge to help cure it??

[62gmc910]

the ujoints in theory should all have the same angle or you get the "squiggly mirrors" viberation on severe drop trucks you might have to offset the driveshaft to one side to get the nescisary angles. Somebody out there knows the secret but the first thing is get rid of the scabbed together mess and get the heavier steady bearing and shaft