Help Needed; Rear End Issue.

[IRQVET]

Let me begin by saying that I am in no way a gear head. I can do simple maintenance like plugs and wires, oil changes, and basic repairs like that.

Now with that out of the way. I drove my 1998 Chevy Tahoe LT down the street today and the truck began to shimmy side to side and make a wierd noise. At first I thought I ran a flat tire by the noise and movement of the truck. I pulled off to the side of the road and discovered, where the drive train meets the rear axle was no longer being held together by what appeared to be a missing bolt that would hold them together.

Based on that vague description, what do think I'm looking at what will it cost to repair the issue???

Need advise, and thank you in advance.

 

["350Vortec"]

Ouch, Didnt you just purchase this truck?

 

[IRQVET]

Yeah I got it 4 months ago. I'm not too worried about the Tahoe, my mechanic went through it and told me I'd be extremely hard pressed to find one in the condition mine is in. Its like a brand new truck, and this is the only problem I've had with it.

 

[blueflamed03]

the cap that holds the driveshaft to the rearend? U joint cap?

 

[IRQVET]

I had the Tahoe towed on a flatbed to my mechanic. My rear drive shaft lost a U-Bolt and my mechanic ordered a new set for both front and rear. (I might as well get them both done at the same time)

HOWEVER, when my mechanic pulled off the drive shaft he attempted to install the new U-Bolts, he discovered that the circles cut on the drive shaft that hold the U-Bolt appearred to have been machined bigger than standard by a previous repair. (I have no idea why they did that)

So the new U-Bolts, which should be forced into the drive train by the force of a hammer from what I was told, are too big and the circle things that hold the U-Bolt in just slide through and fall out. (Like sticking your d*ck in a coffee can, lol.)

(See attached picture, area in question circled in red)

My mechanic gave me two opinions:

1.) Order a new rear drive shaft at the cost of about $580 bucks.

or

2.) Have a driveline shop cut the knuckle off on my existing drive shaft and have another one welded on for about $100 bucks.

I don't wheel the vehicle and I'm pretty easy on my vehicles. With that in mind, what should I do, money is tight . . . . .

 

[IRQVET]

Issue was fixed by cutting the knuckle off the driveline and weilding a new (used) knuckle in its place.

Total repair cost for parts and installation was $330.00

A new driveline was going to be $600.00 for the part only without install.

 

[Biggwaukegan]

what???? a war veteran tight on money? no way? o yea thats right this is america. where they trick ya right outta high school with 20 grand or some sht. then you go off to war...come home to find theres no wrk paying good anymore. sorry fellas felt a rant coming

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

Home of the free and the broke...

 

[992door]

Issue was fixed by cutting the knuckle off the driveline and weilding a new (used) knuckle in its place.

Total repair cost for parts and installation was $330.00

A new driveline was going to be $600.00 for the part only without install.

what knuckle was cut off

 

[IRQVET]

what knuckle was cut off

I'm not sure if thats the proper term, but see my previous attached image.