One Piece Drive Shaft, VS Statesman?

[Macca177]

Heya,

Has anyone had this done?

For the last 10 years of owning my statesman, 98 series 3 V8. I have always chewed centre bearings. and constant vibrations. Over the time I have had it checked, no mechanic seems to have any ideas! they just through bushes etc at it.
I have gone through all the alignment details to do with the bushes mounts/diff cradle bushes for the IRS vs Solid axles. It's all been changed, susupension is lowered all round. I have changed brands/types of centre bearings had the diff rebuilt. changed the uni joints multiple times. Drive shafts have been out and balanced and told all is okay.

Just over it and thinking a one piece might just fix it all (unless the output shaft of G/box is stuffed too?)

 

[losh1971]

Have you tried a genuine bearing. I found aftermarket tends to be poor quality.

 

[harrop.senator]

As said above.

Or I'd be checking pinion angles before going to one piece. I've never had a one piece in a commodore but almost everything else.

If chewing genuine centre bearings that often I'd be worried about yokes and vibration of a single because the geometry doesn't like something .

 

[vc commodore]

I did have issues with centre bearings a few years back....Went through 3 in 4 years....I took the shaft to a drive shaft specialist and they changed the front section where the uni goes in as it was damaged, had to shorten it slightly as I have a Toyota gearbox behind a 6 and re-balanced it....

Most tailshafts in these cars have spacers inbetween the centre bearing mounting bracket and the floor pan, to make sure the tailshaft is level with the gearbox extension housing...Mine had those missing, but have since been fitted....My car is also 2" lowered than stock....

So after 2 1/2 years, making sure the tailshaft is level with these spacers and having it re-balanced, I have no vibrations and the centre bearing has held up....So definately worth looking at yourself

 

[_R_J_K_]

You replaced the gearbox mount? Would give that a go before making that decision if you haven't.

 

[vs-lover]

I feel your issue is the "lowered" factor. Once this is done the angles change somewhat and vibration seems to be an issue that goes hand in hand with that. I lifted the back of my wagon years ago and that started it's own set of issues as well.

 

[Smitty]

higher? lowered? screws up the shaft rotating geometry

yeah i know others are higher/lower .. no problems
but the Stato is longer so that longer 2nd half of shaft
is giving the bearing a hard time.

ps.. i hope you change the CV joint every time
only doing the bearing is a total waste of $, always do the
CV joint any time a centre bearing is changed

 

[vs-lover]

and the Statesman and Wagon share the same geometry.

 

[woteva]

Why would you want a one-piece tailshaft when more uni-joints are always better ?
Just weld a few more on for more awesomeness

 

[Macca177]

Have you tried a genuine bearing. I found aftermarket tends to be poor quality.

This I havent, they have all been repco/bursons so far......