Lost my driveshaft today going 75mph pulling a trailer. What happened is the bracket that holds the center bearing on broke off dropping the driveshaft.
Now I am not complaining, (Smarty on 7 TST on 2/2) I use my truck hard and pull real heavy loads and do occasional sledpulls. I was just surprised that the welds let go on the center bearing.

I need to replace everything from the transfercase to the rearend. Is there any aftermarket shafts that are better or just go with the OEM. One thing for sure after this I will be putting in drive shaft loops.

One more thing did you know that a dodge ram can pull a 33K load in front wheel drive

 

I don't know about the drive shafts but that is very interesting that the Dodge Ram can tow 33k in front wheel drive. Was there a noticeable difference in how the truck drove?

 

Actually it pulled good you could feel the tq a little in the steering but not to bad. I drove with a very light foot. At this point I just wanted to get home.

 

id go to a drive line shop and have em build ya a beefed up version maybe even see if they can do a one piece and upgrade yokes to a larger u-joint. pullin 33k i dont think was expected from the factory

 

I had the same thing happen on a freightliner once..... a driveshaft flailing around under a truck sure can mangle a lot of stuff in a hurry....


I would say your driveshaft doesn't really need beefed up , but maybe the mount for the carrier bearing....

 

Get a new drive shaft with a 5500 on top of it.

 

Would that actually fit??
I ordered a stock shaft ($620) I was thinking of seeing if a shaft for a 4500 would work. But I didn't have the time to do any research into it and I don't want my truck to be parked for 2 weeks while I find out

 

Woooosh!

 

how'd you keep the fluid from spilling out of the tcase when you drove it in front wheel drive with no rear shaft?

 

Dude. Just lettin ya know.....Do NOT continue to drive in front wheel drive. TRUST me, i learned the hard way how easily that transfer case chain stretches. Mine only lasted one week running empty.

When I bought my new carrier bearing, it was much more heavy duty thatn the factory one.

 

If it spilled it spilled I was only 8 miles from home.

I drove with as light of a foot as I could. I didn't want to floor it and see what happens when the front end gets a 1000 pounds of tq. I just assumed it would be bad Truck has been parked since.
Pick up the new shaft today

 

I thank if you are sled pulling you need to inspect your truck good before you hit the road with a heavy load that way it will be safer for you and every one else