Need replacement driveshaft

[Chrisorbics]

I have a 2004 Lincoln LS Premium V8 and I love the car but it has been vibrating from the Driveline for a while now. I removed the driveshaft yesterday and the center support shaft bearing and the rubber is in good shape but the universal joint has a notchy spot in it. I am a mechanic and I know that the universal joint is not meant to be replaced. With that being said I cannot find a replacement driveshaft anywhere or even a listing on any Ford OEM Parts websites. What are other owners of Lincoln LS cars doing for replacements?

 

[joegr]

I suspect that your best shot is the local junkyard. (I'd rather put a new one in too, but...)

 

[pragmatic]

Go to a driveshaft specialist. 20 years ago when the u-joint on my XR4Ti got notchy I had a driveshaft shop weld new joints onto the shaft. Shaft was similar to the LS. GUIBO (rubber isolator) near the transmission, shaft, u-joint with staked bearing caps, center bearing, slip shaft and differential. I used that replacement shaft for another 5 vibration free years. I used Universal Joint service in Rutherford NJ because they were near me. I'm sure other driveshaft companies can do this. Since your in NJ I'd try Universal (Rutherford); Drive Line services of NJ (Clifton NJ) or MR Driveshaft (Wall NJ).

 

[TooManyToys]

Mr Driveshaft does good work.

 

[Chrisorbics]

yes I have used mr driveshaft before and I will call them now.

 

[Chrisorbics]

ok they said 575 and they are going to call me back and tell me how long it will take. hopefully this will help some other ls owners because I came up dry when looking for a shaft. ford shaft is discontinued. my other option was to torch it out and find a joint that will fit but heating the shaft will most likely distort the metal.