HOW MUCH DOES A DRIVESHAFT COST?

A driveshaft or prop shaft connects your vehicle’s transmission or transfer case to the front or rear differential, transmitting power to the wheels. It’s a simple design, but considering the stress put upon the part, replacement is fairly common. U-joints can develop excessive play, the center bearing can come out of balance, rubber parts can age and deteriorate, or the item can get damaged from an impact. Even if only one part of your driveshaft needs replacement, standard practice is to replace the entire unit. The driveshaft spins at a very high speed, so the smallest imbalance will be immediately noticeable when you’re driving the vehicle. Replacing individual parts on your driveshaft is best left to professionals, to ensure it remains impeccably balanced. In addition, you need to remove the driveshaft anyway in order to replace any of the individual parts, so replacing the entire unit means it’s easier for a shade tree mechanic to do, and cheaper to have a professional replace it as well. In the table below we’ve included the msrp (list price) of 5 of our best selling driveshafts as well as our price for that same part.

Verify Your Driveshaft

It's important to verify which driveshaft your vehicle needs before ordering one. A rear-wheel drive vehicle has a single driveshaft, which connects the transmission to the rear differential. Front-wheel drive vehicles use CV axles instead of driveshafts; while the term driveshaft can technically be applied to a CV axle, the distinction is important. 4WD and some AWD vehicles have two driveshafts; one that connects the transfer case to the rear differential, and a shorter one that connects to the front diff. This is a common point of confusion when ordering these parts. Some longer vehicles might have a two-piece driveshaft as well; this makes installation easier, makes balancing more reliable, and allows the shaft to flex at three points instead of two.

Also keep in mind that if your 4x4 is lifted for better off-road performance, your driveshafts will wear at an accelerated rate. The U-joints at either end of the driveshaft are designed to spin while flexed at a specific angle based on the vehicle’s factory height. Raising the vehicle makes that angle more pronounced, leading to accelerated wear on the U-joints. You may also want to consider a driveshaft support since it’s a little more vulnerable on lifted vehicles. If you have a sports car modified to be quicker in a straight line, you should also look into a driveshaft safety loop as well. If you’re putting more power through a stock driveshaft, you’re at risk of a joint or bearing failure, and if the shaft breaks in half, you suddenly have a heavy metal pole spinning at a high RPM that can impact your vehicle’s floor. Some drag strips will require a safety loop as part of their tech inspection process.

Driveshaft Labor and Part Costs

Driveshaft prices can vary wildly, depending on what kind of vehicle you have, which shaft you need replaced, and whether it’s a single or two-piece driveshaft. Front driveshafts are commonly between $150 and $250; the larger rear shafts start around $250 and can reach $400 and above, possibly more for a two-piece. Replacing the driveshaft isn’t too complicated, and on most vehicles, it can be completed in under an hour. Replacing your driveshaft is a good opportunity to service your differentials and transfer case as well, replace any seals that are made accessible during this job, and inspect the driveshaft yoke that actually goes into the transmission or diff.

Find Your Driveshaft

If you’re still unsure about what’s best for your vehicle, feel free to contact BuyAutoParts for knowledgeable assistance in getting the best driveline parts for your vehicle. We carry guaranteed exact fit driveline parts and complete assemblies and more from major brands like PowerTrain Industries, Yukon, USA Standard Gear and Cardone. All our parts professionals are here and ready to help!

More Vehicle Specific Estimates & Costs

Some of our top-selling driveshafts, their compatible vehicles and their approximate costs are listed below:

If you are a DIYer, you will not incur any labor costs. If you choose a professional for the job, you will need to pay for both the part and labor. Here are the approximate driveshaft installation costs specific to some automobiles.