After my last outing I was happy to be one of the few who didn't break, when inspecting the rig later, I did find a good sized dent in the rear driveshaft. Should I just balance it and go on until later or will this thing pretzel next time it's under a load? The only reason I am holding off is I will need to have the rear shaft lengthened with the next phase of building anyway-I don't want to rebuild the ds twice.
-Thanks:rasta:

Does it wobble? If not, just run it as is. Most Cruisers ride so bad that an unbalanced driveshaft is unnoticable.

The only driveshaft I have ever had that was not dinged is the one on the front of my Cruiser now.

It's solid:smokin:

I would get it retubed and you can heavier than stock tube if your rig is modified.

If it is a real dent, the first time it ends up under a heavy load, id will collapse and do a candycane collapse.

Ever stand on a beer can (I can't do this anymore - they are too thin & I am too heavy) and then tap the side - similar forces at work here.

Or carry a spare and keep going 'til it lets out on you!

Just my $0.02,

Jim

I would have to agree on this, get it retubed. Or carry and spare, Like one of those square D shafts,,, Just incase.

This is what it will look like and why I carry a spare shafts.

:( Sorry about the quality of the photo but turned to sh%#t when I resized it.:mad2: :mad2:

Originally posted by MetalMender
:( Sorry about the quality of the photo but turned to sh%#t when I resized it.:mad2: :mad2:

That's ok, I can see enough to know that's not the way you want your DS to look like:0 ...Forgot what a rear DS that long looks like-mine is half that length..

-Thanks for the reply:smokin:

Originally posted by TLCObsession
I would get it retubed and you can heavier than stock tube if your rig is modified.

If it is a real dent, the first time it ends up under a heavy load, id will collapse and do a candycane collapse.

Ever stand on a beer can (I can't do this anymore - they are too thin & I am too heavy) and then tap the side - similar forces at work here.

Or carry a spare and keep going 'til it lets out on you!

Just my $0.02,

Jim

Yes, this is exactly what I'm thinking too...I know the "right" thing to do here, I'm just needing an extra voice of reason. It's a pretty good dent, and yes, I'm already running a beefier tube.
I just hate to have to re-tube and then do it again when I lengthen the thing...You would think I would be used to dumping $ into this thing by now!

-Thanks for your reply

Originally posted by Shawn
I would have to agree on this, get it retubed. Or carry and spare, Like one of those square D shafts,,, Just incase.

What kind of shaft are you referring to with "square D shaft", I'm not familiar with this setup. If I could find an affordable spare for now, I would go that route.

-Thanks again:)

Do a seach under "Square D Shaft".
What it is, is a 2 1/2" receiver hitch square tubing and the receiver tubind with the u joint ends welded to the ends,,,

Cheep,
Long Travel,
Strong,
Rear or Front:D

If I replaced my drive shaft after every time it got dented, my family and I would of had to eat at the church for Thanksgiving.:rolleyes: