Drive Shaft Direction

When installing a drive shaft, does the shorter, sliding end connect to the differential or does it even matter? I may have mine in backwards.

 

The only two things that matter when it comes to a standard driveshaft orientation are added unsprung weight if one end is significantly heavier (if that even matters), and if there’s no boot on the slip joint, water can accumulate in the splined area because it’s downhill. The direction of spin doesn’t matter.

 

Yeah that backwards to every drive shaft I have worked on. I guess where do you grease it? is it working in or out?

 

Some guys purposefully run them “backwards” so if there is any impact with rocks on the lower half of the shaft, it happens against the hard parts and not the vulnerable tubing.

One could argue that you’ll get increased wear on the slip joint due to more lateral motion with it being closer to the pinion, but the shafts are so short in these, the slip joint is close to center no matter which side it’s on. I wouldn’t sweat it, but it isn’t “traditional,” so you might find yourself explaining it to looky-loos.

 

Can't argue with the way it was engineered.

 

I usually mount the slip-yoke end nearest the transfercase.
-Donny

 

X2

 

Since i have front and rear cv joint the slip yoke are both on the axle side.