Drive shaft weld and balance costs

bdepedro · Jul 18, 2010

Can anyone give me an idea of the costs for cutting/welding/and balancing either a steel or aluminum driveshaft?

Also, stock or billet steel flywheel. What are the benefits of billet steel and do they justify the cost difference?

Thanks for the input!

zookeeper · Jul 19, 2010

I can't tell you what a driveline service would charge, but I've done 'em in about an hour and balanced in another hour. At the time we charged $60/hr so you figure can calculate it based on your shop's rate. It's really quite simple so don't let anyone BS you into thinking it's a super-complex job.

guybored · Jul 19, 2010

I just had mine done, 1 inch longer balanced along with new "cross" for $80. That is the rate in south TX.

bdepedro · Jul 19, 2010

Did you guys use steel or alum shafts?

zookeeper · Jul 19, 2010

I work in a machine shop so the one I did wasn't mine, it was for a customer and it was steel.

bdepedro · Jul 20, 2010

Thanks, I'm guessing that alum would be a little more $ since it is a little harder to work with but that gives me a good reference point. I'll wait until I install the trans to see what length shaft I need then decide if it makes sense to find a junkie alum shaft or have my steel one cut.

v8only · Jul 20, 2010

I paid $78 out the door for a steel driveshaft shortened 3/4 of an inch, re balanced, painted and stuffed with new u joints

zookeeper · Jul 20, 2010

That's a great price, I just paid $28 for two new u-joints a few days ago, so they cut and balanced your shaft for about $50 minus the new u-joints!

v8only · Jul 20, 2010

yea, it really was a great price...it was an old school hole in the wall mom and pop type driveshaft shop business.

dbfarr · Aug 7, 2010

Had my stocker cut and rebalanced, painted, and spicer's installed, $130. That was in Boise, rates are a little higher there.

Solved a lot of problems though, harmonic vibration, gone!!

tweet66 · Aug 7, 2010

I had the aluminum one from an Aerostar shortened and balanced for my coupe for $120. Seemed a little high to me but no-one else would touch it....

ForceFed70 · Aug 8, 2010

tweet66 said:
I had the aluminum one from an Aerostar shortened and balanced for my coupe for $120. Seemed a little high to me but no-one else would touch it....

I paid about the same for the same thing (Shorten and balance an Aerostar aluminum drive shaft).

PoppyMod · Aug 9, 2010

bdepedro said:
Can anyone give me an idea of the costs for cutting/welding/and balancing either a steel or aluminum driveshaft?

Also, stock or billet steel flywheel. What are the benefits of billet steel and do they justify the cost difference?

Thanks for the input!

Personally, unless you racing and the rules require a billet SFI rated flywheel, I don't see putting your money there. For a street car it's a "wow", "gee whiz" thing. Use the extra dough toward another more practical part. Maybe fuzzy dice
BTW, if the reason for the drive-shaft question has to do with a recent auto to manual tranny swap, hold off until you get the tranny completely installed, then measure. As in some cases, a drive shaft change is not needed, if within known parameters.
Happy Motoring!

avalencia64.5 · Aug 10, 2010

Hey V8only, where did you get yours done?

v8only · Aug 11, 2010

mom and pop type old school driveshaft shop near fontana raceway socal.....626 334 2418....his work was above and beyond anything I expected....$78 for new u joints, cut shaft down, rebalance it and even throw a spraycan paint job on it, lol...

it's been working flawlessly. Guys name is randy

chris66dad · Aug 11, 2010

I was quoted 150 here in the SF Bay Area by a big driveline shop in Pittsburg. I decided to bite the bullet and go aluminum from StreetOrTrack for 299.
Pictures of mine: Drive shaft
The Billet flywheels can be bought pretty cheap (110-140) on Ebay and are SFI rated. They can also be used for a 10.5 inch modern diaphragm clutch. Make sure you get the right imbalance for your engine.
Examples:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=FLYWHEEL&_kw=28OZ&_dmpt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&_ipg=

65coupe408w · Aug 12, 2010

I just paid $170 to have mine shortened balanced and with two new heavy duty U joints. Without the Ujoints it would have been around $120.

68RCodeConv · Aug 13, 2010

Under no circumstances should you use a 40-year-old flywheel. Ever seen the damage when one comes apart? Spring the money and get a new one.

bdepedro · Aug 13, 2010

The flywheel issue solved itself, the one that I removed (not sure if it was original or not) had a lot of tooth wear and some hot spots on the surface. I ordered and installed a new steal flywheel.

My driveshaft is at the shop now but has been finished (just need to pick it up). I had calculated that 3/4" should be cut off but waited until I had the trans installed and took a measurement to be sure. Yep, 3/4". I wound up using the stock steel unit and had them install new Spicer greasable u-joints and balance it for $150.

Drive shaft weld and balance costs

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