| Author | Message | ||
     ken nishikawa (Scubaman99) Member Username: Scubaman99 Post Number: 127 Registered: 06-2002 |
Hey All my 95DI with 145K miles on it is starting to show its age... the other day i was getting ready to extend my rear axle breather tubes when i noticed that the rotoflex coupling is starting to crack. question... ive heard of some folks replacing the rotoflex with U joints. is this really necessary?? What are the benifits? What are the drawbacks? how hard is it to do the conversion? thx KEN | ||
| not the same Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 101 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey Ken, Talk to Bill at GBR. I think he has a kit available. | ||
| ken nishikawa (Scubaman99) Member Username: Scubaman99 Post Number: 129 Registered: 06-2002 |
thx for the heads up mike.... i was wondering if there was any "reason" to go rotoflex or not... | ||
| Kristopher March (Apexdisco) Senior Member Username: Apexdisco Post Number: 361 Registered: 02-2002 |
It's a good idea to change out the rotoflex for a u-joint if you're planning on any type of lift. My brother's 95 has a nasty vibration at various speeds with his 2" lift. The u-joint is not garaunteed to fix that but most likely it will. | ||
| Ryan Johnson (Disco007) New Member Username: Disco007 Post Number: 27 Registered: 01-2004 |
What degree of knowledge does this switch require? planning on putting some OME (3" lift) on later this spring and i guess would need to do this change as well. | ||
| Kristopher March (Apexdisco) Senior Member Username: Apexdisco Post Number: 362 Registered: 02-2002 |
Check out the article in the TECH section. My brother plans to do the conversion in the next few weeks. Just guessing, but it's probably a two-three hour job. | ||
| Ryan Johnson (Disco007) New Member Username: Disco007 Post Number: 28 Registered: 01-2004 |
If the Rotoflex doesn't show signs of wear, would there be another way to solve the vibration problem? New driveshaft? Not looking for the quickest or the cheepest just the best way. Does the Rotoflex need to be replaced even if it isn't worn. I guess the U-joint would be stronger? | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Senior Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 364 Registered: 08-2003 |
Its about 30 minutes job to swap shaft out and stick new one in (+ flange), if you know what you do and got everything handy. Then again if truck is old enough - you will get into solving issues with rusted/stuck parts. Getting out centralizing peg is most infamous bit of it  Ryan - rotoflex wear not necessary cause vibration, it can be lots of stuff, even with upgraded shafts (guess how i know ) Basically it is recommended to upgrade from rotoflex if you getting lift or getting lower gears or getting bigger tires or getting aftermarket differential (Locker or LSD). Reason is that you dont have stretching rubber then I.e yeah, its kind of stronger. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 688 Registered: 02-2003 |
Got mine at Atlantic British | ||
| Tom Fioretti (Tom_in_md) Member Username: Tom_in_md Post Number: 153 Registered: 02-2003 |
"Getting out centralizing peg is most infamous bit of it" What should have taken 30 minutes..took me all day. Make sure you have, or can rig, some sort of puller for the peg. Some folks are lucky and the peg is loose. Others, like me, had one that was stuck and required the LR puller and a blow torch. Got my rear shaft at GBR. "Does the Rotoflex need to be replaced even if it isn't worn. " If you're not lifted, stock condition, and it's not worn, leave it alone. If you're lifted and/or modified to change the geometry, wait for the ineveitable signs of wear. | ||
| Ethan Makarowski (Ethan) Member Username: Ethan Post Number: 42 Registered: 04-2003 |
Does anybody know the part # for the required drive shaft and other necessary parts required for this conversion. I'm getting ready to fit a 3" lift on my '94 and with the condition of the rotoflex now, I'm almost positive that it will need the ujoints. I'm interested in ordering the shaft from my parts source in the UK (Paddocks Spares) and just wanted to double-check with the parts numbers that they have. Thanks, Ethan M | ||
| Ross Thoma (Rossthoma) Member Username: Rossthoma Post Number: 225 Registered: 08-2002 |
If your Roto lasted 145K chances are that you don't do the stuff that requires the u-joint conversion. Spend the $75 and be done with it if you lift it more than 2 inches, I would think on it, but on a fairy stock truck I would stick with the roto, it has it's uses, like soaking up drive line lash since you are fulltime FWD, and easy bush repairs if you carry a spare. Keep an eye on it, it gets easy to forget about it since you don't need to grease and maintain it like a U-joint and thats when they can get bad whith out you knowing it. And I may be wrong but for all the complaining about them I have not heard of one snapping on the trail that was in such bad shape that it should have been changed for safty's sake anyway. My 2 cents Ross Thoma | ||
| ken nishikawa (Scubaman99) Member Username: Scubaman99 Post Number: 131 Registered: 06-2002 |
thx for the input everyone... i have a modest lift OME MD's and i run the stock Michelin XPC on road and 245/75 MTR's off road. i guess im gonna just replace the existing rotoflex with more of the same as im not really looking forward to having to fight with the infamous "center peg" for hours or buy a new drive shaft. cheers | ||
| anthony heflin (Anthony) New Member Username: Anthony Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2004 |
I have been trying to resolve an issue with my 96 disco. Vibrations at 70 mph that worsens on hills. All 4 u-joints have no play, new tires, trans flush and filter, fuel pump and filter. Could my cracket rotoflex be culprit? It is cracked in 4 places! | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 351 Registered: 10-2002 |
Anthony, Yes if could, But dont you mean 3 u joints? I have a used/like new roto flex drive shaft just sitting, if anyone needs it, make me an offer. For the conversion, You are safe with an 88-89 RRC rear drive shaft and a new flange with spacer, I got my drive shaft off the sor sale section for 100 bucks, Good luck! |
