Need some advice.....

[87BrnRsd]

On my last fourwheeling trip, I happened to hit my driveshaft on a couple of rocks. Im going wheeling again in a little over 2 weeks...and I was gonna have my shaft re-tubed. But after thinking about it..I think I may be able to get away with running my existing dented up shaft. Since its gonna be about $100 to re-tube this one, do you guys think I can just run what I have? It has a few dents around it in a citcular direction, but none went through. Its out of balance now and vibrates over about 45 mph. Not a horrible vibration..but noticeable nontheless. Would this hurt anything by running it for say 100 miles with the vibration? I just dont want to spend $100 to re-tube this one...when I run a high possibility of just doing it again on the next wheeling trip. If you guys think it would be better to re-tube it...then thats what Ill end up doing...just trying to save $100 before the next trip. Heres a pic: Thanks.
-Harrison

 

[steve_kibbe]

I think you need a spare shaft anyways, so why don't you have a new shaft made, and use it as your spare. I don't see running the current being a problem. Are you going to be traveling over 45mph for most of that 100 miles?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

It can fold over and twist apart pretty easy once it has dents in it. I would either retube it or get a new one made.

 

[tRustyK5]

That shaft will pretzel really easily now that it'd dented. As soon as you get on it it'll be toast. A dent smaller than that helped FUBAR my old rear shaft. It lasted less than a minute after denting it...I got on it to try and bump up a ledge and it folded up like a cheap tent.

Rene

 

[Chaddy]

bad vibes can cause problems in your t-case and possibly your diff.....so Ive been told.

 

[87BrnRsd]

I think you need a spare shaft anyways, so why don't you have a new shaft made, and use it as your spare. I don't see running the current being a problem. Are you going to be traveling over 45mph for most of that 100 miles?

I dont have any money for a whole new shaft. I barely have enough to re-tube this one as it is. Plus its a cv shaft, so a whole new one would be $$$. But your right, I do need a spare....
-Harrison

 

[87BrnRsd]

Thanks for the advice 383 and Trusty. That advice just saved me a bunch of trouble on the trail. I figured the integrity of the shaft would be compromised...but I wasnt sure as to the extent. I figured that I was still roasting the tires with the dented up one right after I dented it, I drove it about 30 miles home, then got on it pretty hard around here and it didnt break...but I definitely see it comming apart when I really take it wheeling in two weeks. Im gonna take it to the shop monday...they want $95 to re-tube it. Cheapest place I have found around here....Thanks guys.
-Harrison