I've seen some places recommend to use white touch-up paint or something to mark where the driveshaft connects to the yoke before removing to make sure you line it back up properly when reinstalling. Welp...I just pulled my front driveshaft and forgot to do that :-/

It seems symmetrical - what's the point of that? Is it really that important? If so, any recommendations for fixing my mess?

Thanks!

 

God, glad I'm not the only one that does stuff like this. Wish I could help, just slap it on and try 4wd, if it breaks you've still got the aftermarket one, right?

 

It is to make sure it is balanced on the way back in.

 

I've never done that. Driveshafts are balanced, but not in any way with the rest of the components to which they are attached. There's no procedure to ensure that a replacement driveshaft is inserted into any particular position, so why if you pull a perfectly working one should there be when reinstalling that same one?

 

The only thing I've been told and do in regards to drive shafts when taking out or prior to install,
Is mark each end in relation to how the shaft is put together. Just incase it accidentally came apart.

 

Teraflex recommends marking at the yokes especially when they come balanced that way.....@ 2:44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t65eVJGBgxk

 

It won't hurt to make reference marks for re-installation, whether people recommend it or not.
Yours is already out, so if you can't find evidence of how it was lined up on the flanges, install it and see if it actually makes a difference. (Probably won't make a difference.)

This is from the JK factory service manual, regarding drive shaft removal:

Front
Mark an installation reference line across the front propeller shaft CV joint and transfer case flange.
Mark an installation reference line across the front propeller shaft flange and the axle flange.

Rear
Mark installation reference line across the rear propeller shaft CV joint and the axle flange. Also mark to indicate propeller shaft axle end.
Mark installation reference line across the front propeller shaft CV joint and the transmission/transfer case flange. Also mark to indicate propeller shaft transmission/transfer case flange end.

 

I never marked mine when replacing it, they are suppose to be balanced so regardless of how it is taken out and put back in, it should be a smooth rotation.

That is a good suggestion Rebar-7, I've never had mine come apart but good to know.

 

Thanks all for the replies! Sounds like it's good practice and something I probably should have done, but not the end of the world. Lesson learned for next time...

If I run into problems when I put it back together, I'll let you guys know. I had a vibration that went away after removing the front driveshaft. Looks like the yoke in my front diff is pretty loose and I'm leaking fluid, so I'll probably have to replace the bearings anyway.

Thanks again!