Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) two piece drive shaft

[SRehberg]

Has anyone taken their two-piece drive shaft apart at the rubber bellows (middle spline) and regreased the splines, or even better, installed a zerk for future greasing? The older trucks all came with zerk fittings, but these newer ones have "lifetime" lube! I guess they mean the life of the shaft until it wears out. If a zerk is installed, does the weight have to be compensated for or the removing of the metal when drilling and tapping, offset the zerk weight?

 

[drees1]

I wondered the same thing. How would you go about installing the zerk?



The balance would be ok with the zerk in it.



Doug Rees

 

[SRehberg]

On the older trucks where it was standard, there wasn't any magic to its installation, so I can't see why it couldn't be done with these. I hate to wait and have the splines wear then replace the whole assembly! I plan on dropping my trans in the near future to install an upgrade torque converter again, so I may just take the shot at drilling/installing the zerk. Cutting the steel bands, greasing the splines, then reinstalling some ties to hold it just isn't that much fun.



I hope someone has done this already and will share their experience with us.