Services / Custom Driveshafts
Custom Driveshafts
Steel driveshafts built custom to the vehicle, and repairs to the one you have. Measured at ride height, welded straight, then balanced at road speed before it leaves the building.
What it is
Built to the vehicle, then balanced.
Building a steel driveshaft custom to the vehicle’s needs is one of this shop’s specialties, along with repairing the shaft you already have when it needs replacement components or modification.
It starts with measuring. We measure the placement for the shaft at ride height, because that is the only position that produces a number you can build to. From that we determine tube length, tube diameter, wall thickness, u-joints and the supporting components the vehicle needs, such as a center support bearing or slip yokes.
Then the work begins. The tube is cut to length and a tube yoke is aligned and welded on each end. After welding, the shaft is inspected for straightness and weld quality and rechecked for correct length before it moves on to the balancing machine.
One of the final steps in a perfected driveshaft is high speed balancing. The shaft is locked into place and the machine spins it at average vehicle speeds to identify any imbalance. The machine locates the imperfection, and tiny carbon steel weights are welded into place until the shaft is in balance.
Careful attention is given to verifying the phasing and runout of the components, and the overall condition of the finished product, so it is ready for installation and smooth operation. We will also balance a shaft you bring in on its own.
| Tube length | Center of u-joint to center of u-joint, at ride height |
|---|---|
| Tube diameter | Sized to the vehicle and how it gets used |
| Wall thickness | Sized to the load the shaft has to carry |
| U-joint series | 1310 through 1550 |
| Support components | Center support bearing, slip yokes, whatever the vehicle needs |
- Year, make, model, engine and transmission
- Lift height, tire size and any body stretch
- Length center of u-joint to center of u-joint, at ride height
- U-joint series if you know it
- Photos of both ends
- If it is balancing only, the shaft out of the vehicle
Not sure about any of it? Ring the shop and we will walk you through it.
On the bench
How a shaft gets built.
Measure at ride height
Placement measured with the vehicle at ride height. Length, diameter, wall thickness and u-joint series all come out of this step.
Cut and align
Tube cut to length. A tube yoke is aligned on each end, ready to weld.
Weld and inspect
Yokes welded on, then checked for straightness and weld quality and rechecked for length before it goes any further.
Balance
On to the high speed balancer. Nothing leaves this shop without that step.
On the balancer
Locked in, spun up, corrected.
unbalanced
vehicle speeds
welded in place
| Imbalance | Located while the shaft spins at road speed |
|---|---|
| Correction | Tiny carbon steel weights welded into place |
| Phasing | Verified across the components |
| Runout | Verified across the components |
| Overall condition | Checked before it is called finished |
Straight answers
What people ask about this.
Can you shorten or lengthen the one I have?
Often, yes, and it is usually cheaper than a new shaft. Bring it in and we will tell you honestly whether the tube and the ends are worth reusing.
What series do I need?
That comes from power, tire size and how hard you use it, not from what fits. Tell us the build and we will tell you the series and why.
My shaft is new and it still vibrates.
New does not mean balanced. Plenty of shafts ship unbalanced. Bring it in and we will put it on the machine.
Could it be something other than the shaft?
Absolutely, and we will say so. Operating angle, a worn carrier bearing, a bad u-joint or a tire can all produce the same complaint. We diagnose before we sell.
Also in the shop
Send us your measurements. We’ll send back a number.
Driveshaft repair estimates are free. No obligation, no run-around.