I have a convertible 2doors V6 98' Camaro. My problem is with the two parts drive shaft.
The central bearing was dead and I changed it but I still have a problem with the junction part between the front and the rear part of the drive shaft (just after the central bearing). This junction is noisy and moves abnormally (may be the reason why the bearing has been broken). What is this part exactly (a gimbal ?) and is it possible to change it without changing all the shaft ?
Thank you very much for your help.
Marc

 

if I read correctly its called a universal joint. have you considered switching to one piece drive shaft. should just need to find one from 4th gen.

 

I don't think there are any parts that are not discontinued in the driveshaft, A driveshaft repair place can fix it but as Craby said most of use just switch to a single pc driveshaft. I put an Aluminum one in my 1996 v6 then I switched to my 2000 Z28. This is a very common mod,

 

Thank you for your answers.
Yes, I considered switching to one part shaft but I'm not sure because :
- I already changed the front and rear joints (1 - 2) and the center bearing (3). With a one-piece shaft, these new parts are good for the trash...
- Second reason is because I'm living in France and heavy parts as a complete drive shaft have very expensive shipping and taxes.
- N° 4 is the faulty joint (only one witch is not new !).

Of course, if there is no other solution, I'll take a one-piece complete shatf...

 

The center part is more like a CV joint. It will be the most expensive parts of the shaft. I assume you guys have drive shaft repair shops cause they are needed for trucks. They should be able to remove the ends and install a tube. You just need to tell them a length. I am sure they could also give you a quote for fixing you driveshaft.

 

I didn't know what a CV joint was but I find on the web. Yes this part seems to be a CV joint. I know a repair shop fixing "cardans" in french and I will ask them.

 

The thing I find funny is GM spent a lot of money on the 2 pc V6 driveshaft on early 4th gen but they just eliminated it and went with the one pc design by the end of the run of the V6. The theory of that design is it should reduce vibration but an early 3.4 V6 should actually be smoother then the newer 3800. I find it kind of funny they spent all that money early on but then just decided they did not need it anymore.

A remade shaft from a good source should be better than a factory one.

 

Just find for a good price a used original shaft with a good CV joint. I'll put the new bearing and the 2 U-joints on it before installing on the car.
A new 1pc with shipping to France + taxes is really too expansive (more than 900 euros !)

 

Last time I had a driveshaft made I paid $140 US. Good luck finding a good used one. I mean that. Age of the seals and the grease is a problem. Any dirt is a CV joint and it will start to go bad.

 

I had the same issue a few years ago. Had problems finding a place that would replace the center joint. I went with the single piece drive shaft and never had an issue. You could use the u-joints from you 2 peice if they are new to build you new drive shaft. Find a place in France that would do the work to save on the shipping.