I'm getting ready to replace the rear drive shaft. I have a 2005 with 103,000 miles and the carrier bearing is noisy and rough. I'm going to install a 40,000 mile drive shaft from a 2006 model which I understand will fit.

My question is do I need to install new drive shaft gaskets? The manual states that if a "new" drive shaft is installed, the gaskets do not need to be installed. It also states that if gaskets are not present upon removal they should not be installed if reinstalling the same driveshaft.

Since I don't know if there were gaskets on the used shaft I got, I don't know if I should order and install new gaskets.

Anyone know how to tell if I need new gaskets?

Thanks very much!

Dan

 

Driveshaft gaskets will be very difficult to install because one is linked into the transfer case which is very hard to remove and open. You do not need to replace the gaskets when replacing the driveshaft, however, if you see a profound amount of oil on the undercarriage of the car around where the driveshaft meets the transfer case or the diff, you should either watch your oil levels on those two components or fix the gasket. I would just watch the oil levels to be safe anyways.