Is anyone familar with this shop? Is their work as good as their website says it is? http://www.thrashdriveshaft.com/
Never heard of them.....and the prices DO NOT look some screaming deal. I can't imagine you all don't have some one up there by you. We got the guy Scotty right around the corner that will one off most stuff for about $380.
Blake,yes,San Antonio,my mistake. Katula,a friend of mine was in the area,tossed a U Joint on his 66 Chevelle,messed up the driveshaft bad.They quoted him 358 bucks for 3-1/2 inch shaft complete with the front slip yoke.They claim to do immaculate work and have the leatest hi speed balancing equipment.The price is pretty much what it cost from better shop as far as I can figure My friend called last night to see if I could find out about this shop.he said they were very helpful .He's probably working on the car right now.
I had a driveshaft made there when I lived in San Antonio about 5-6 years ago. It was highly recommended, quick turnaround, real nice welds, I had a good experience. Those guys know what they are doing.
They are good, but I prefer Scotty's Driveshaft Service. I also like the former Austin Drivetrain on 183. New ownership there, so not sure anymore.
$325.00 is what I use as a good guestimate on a shaft like that built new from scratch. That will include a pair of Spicer OE non'greasable u-joints.
My Friend sent a text message saying they did a great job.He's back on the road. Probably would have been cheaper for him if he paid attention to the noise and vibration a really bad u-joint makes.
Figure a hundred for labor and new tube. Any more than that I'd shop around. Balancing is elementary. Add to that for new yokes if needed and always get new U-joint kits installed.
If you read my driveshaft troubles posted here recently ,balancing is not simple.Three trips to Fleetpride and all they do is move the vibration around.My 230 buck driveshaft is worthless.
They rebuilt my '64 Cadillac drive shaft from front to back 3 u-joints, 2 cv joints the carrier bearing and the second tube. Took less than a week and $600. That was everything but the front tube replaced and balanced. Best quality I could find for the Caddy around here. They also built a custom driveshaft for my Mitsubishi Minitruck for $175 in 2 days. Not bad for never doing a Mitsubishi truck. I highly recommend them. Not the cheapest but the best in South Texas.
Austin Drivetrain did mine this year for $225 thats a new drive shaft, u joints, u bolts and tranny yoke. If you have any issues just let them know great folks and about 1 or 2 day turn around
Austin Drivetrain...3rd that...Built one for my '67 c10 with a 468....Even had them shorten it when I screwed up on my measurements....Great service...
a.d.t. used to be my go-to-guys for anything involving driveshafts and rear ends. I don't know who or what changed over there, but I oficially have a bad taste in my mouth. 2 driveshafts that caused vibration-SERIOUS vibration. 1 driveshaft that broke at the yoke. the clencher was when we had a customers truck re-geared from 3.08 to 3.73. it was a 12 bolt Posi unit with less than 1000 miles on it. We needed a larger carries to suit the larger gears. when we got the truck back, it was immediately obvious that something wasn't right. On top of that, when I asked for the carrier and old gears back, we were told they were thrown away. when I offered to get them out of the trash, they mysteriously re-appeared ...boxed, cleaned,and tagged. when the truck went back, I was there for the tear down. 2 of the shims were installed about 3/4 of the way. which cut a tasty notch in the axle, and destroyed a set of bearings. CLEARLY installer error as the 1/4 on the outside was hammered over. They expected me to pay for a new axle (it had strange axles in it) I refused. they offered to replace it with a Yukon (which is a good axle, but not a strange). I refused. when I got the "new strange axle", I noticed the tag was kinda weird. I peeled it off. it was glued on over (drum roll please) A Yukon Axle tag. Pretty much sealed thier fate with me. Scotty's for driveshafts, and I will build my own damn rear ends from here on out.
Lux, I'm not so easy going as you. I just sent this email to Inland Truck, the company that purchased ADT recently. Attention V.P of Sales<O</O I have been a customer at Austin Drive Train in Austin for over 20 years. I scratched my head upon learning that Inland Truck had acquired this operation, but kept an open mind. The following is an experience related by another shop owner that has also been a long time customer. I am astonished at such a story, but having worked in customer service for many years, I know that such allegations very, very rarely arise without cause. I have to say, your operations didnt lose one customer, it lost hundreds. If you expect customer loyalty and good faith referrals, you must earn them.<O</O I suspect your local managers will recall this case. If I were a regional manager, I would insist on contacting the customer to fully and immediately rectify the situation entirely at my expense. I would follow that with significant action to protect my companys reputation against such damage in the future by careless, deceitful and criminal employees. I hope you wont be surprised to hear that this story has gotten out on a web forum having 70,000 registered members. It no longer matters what the details might have been, your responsibility to exceed customer expectations has not been met. <O</O <O</O Sincerely,<O</O <O</O Scot Baccus<O</O Hutto, Texas
Was the ADT experience recent? I had my ds rebalanced there after I put in the new springs and it's seemed fine so far (1.5 years ago though).
Old school way to balance a new shaft (homade in the shop) If I had any vibrations and that was rare I simply put a large ideal hose clamp on it and tightened it up then took a cruise. Just move the clamp around or possibly 2 clamps and it will hit that sweet spot The heavy side is the screw side naturally. Then if you want to when you feel its good, mark the shaft-weigh the clamps on a postal scale and spot weld a small metal square to the shaft. Proven by perseverance !
380 is a little high i can build you one for about 275,,,youll have it an hour later.....spicer is junk its made in china now....i use neapco made in penn
I can't speak for Lux as to when that was, but the buy out was in the last year, I believe. I don't doubt that some good work comes out of their shop now and then, but as a manager myself, I understand their responsibility to be quality every time, or satisfaction there of. If they didn't keep the name, we could say old name vs new name, but they kept it, so they kept the reputation and the responsibility to uphold it.
The rear end ordeal happened about 3 Years ago. the driveshafts were right around the same period. The main reason I started using them to begin with was because they were (at the time) alot closer than scotty's. I haven't darkened thier door since. for a long time, they had a monopoly on rear end rebuilding in Austin, and they knew it. once I realized that I should really be better with them (differentials) then I was at the time, I have not sent them a single customer. this is something every self respecting hot rodder should learn how to do. it's basic math, the "super secret ninja tools" required to do the work run about 100 bucks- including the ones You can build Yourself- and it's basic, basic math. there is a bit of trial and error on shimming one, but after You get the first one right, the lights turn on. seriously. it's too easy not to learn. be it a 9 inch, or a dana 60 with a locker...it's all easy if You get greasy.
That story blows my mind, Lux. I guess it's exactly why I get out and learn what I don't know. I recall talking to ADT by phone a 2 or 3 years ago and not liking the way the conversation was going. I haven't needed anything since. I am going to see if anyone knows how it's going under the new ownership.
Hey, guys... since the last post was a few years ago, can any Austin locals give me some guidance on the "latest" - "good news" about driveshaft/machine shops? I'm getting ready to cut down the axles and LCA's of a Jag rear end for my "baby" .. So who's the best these days? Thanks in advance.
Scotty's in East Austin 832 Airport Boulevard Austin, TX 78702 <NOBR>(512) 385-9767</NOBR> <NOBR></NOBR> or Drivetrain Specialists in Buda South IH 35 Buda, TX 78610 <NOBR>(512) 523-9061</NOBR> <NOBR></NOBR>