My 2005 RL has that whine in the propeller shaft right at 39-40mph....hasn't really bothered me until recently, when the tone seems to be getting louder. In any case, I have the replacement in my garage, just waiting for the time to replace. I had it up on ramps the other day, seems to be 10 bolts total for the carrier and both ends of shaft. Muffler removal seems to be in order from the looks of it. Taking off rusty muffler bolts always sucks, has anyone done this replacement without exhaust removal? There is a write-up somewhere, but it includes muffler removal. Thanks!

 

I've never seen anyone replace it, let alone DIY it.

The muffler removal definitely makes it more accessible minus having to deal with rusty ass bolts..

 

Member since 2004 and never seen anybody replace it? Weird, no? Seems pretty straightforward. All the bolts are easily accessible, and shop time for swap is listed at 1.5 hours.

 

I'm honestly more curious as to where you sourced a cheap replacement?

 

Ebay, used for 110.00. Came from a wrecked 05. Yes, it may have the same issue for 110 and a couple hours wrenching may be worth it. That whine is LOUD right at 40-mph, cuts off very suddenly at 42.

 

Chances are high it'll happen again but can't complain for $110.

I'm sure its straight forward and we don't hear of ppl replacing them cuz most RL owners don't work on their own cars, majority end up at the dealers.

 

Agreed, for 110$, can't really complain. I think most of the driveshafts that were replaced early on were warranty claims that were done by the dealer. I know I would definitely love to see a DIY posted

 

Mine is around 30-33mph and happens only during cold days (winter). After car warms up it goes away within 5-10 minutes of driving it and does not return.

 

Okay got it. I try to do most of my own work....brakes, tune, oil, etc. Youtube that shit and get in there is my motto. Door handle replace, brakes, it's all posted there. Thanks for the feedback fellas.

 

are you sure its the bearing and not torque converter?

because when i finally heard my driveshaft bearing at 30mph it was on a cold ass morning adn went away after few minutes of driving

now when im on a freeway and i have a major whine at certain speed/throttle position/rpm i dont think its the shaft

but i could be wrong

can anyone confirm/deny the shaft bearing noise at freeway speeds?

 

I've never experienced the whine at highway speeds.

When was the last time you changed your diff fluid?

 

theres diff fluid?
lol

 

Never experienced it at highway speeds, and yes after warming up it does disappear. In cold weather, maybe <40f, it is very persistent at 39- 40mph. The weather seems to be turning here in DC, I am going to wait out the drive shaft swap to see if warmer weather changes the behavior. After putting the car up on ramps and inspecting the new (used) shaft, I can change without removing any exhaust. Probably.

The drive shaft is an amazing piece of work though - naked carbon fiber, and light of course. BTW all ATF fluids in my RL recently changed....

 

I managed to pull the driveshaft through the front without removing the exhaust. theres just enough space to pull it through

 

Hey, I still have that new driveshaft sitting in my garage, all summer I got no whine out of the bearing, went off my list of priorities. Just replaced starter yesterday in fact. Arrrrrg. So when you installed the replacement shaft, did you have index marks on the old or new shafts?

 

I recall seeing a TSB on this about 8 months to year after 05's were out and many with same complaints....

 

Got my 05 last week and heard the noise around 31-34 mph while test driving. Asked the seller about it and he was like, "oh, I don't know what you're talking about". BS. Whatever though. The car is sweet and once the car is warmed up it goes away. I'll most likely try to replace the drive/propeller shaft before winter hits.

 

 

No, I still have the driveshaft in my garage....noise only was happening when cold, and I didn't want to do it during winter. Spring and summer came along with no issues at all. Now it's cold again, and YES I heard it on our first hard freeze....the noise is not bad, I am probably gonna put the driveshaft back up for sale.

 

What's funny is that the noise went away on my car when it got cold. 4 months of silence. Now that's it's warming up again, I can kind of hear the whine around 39-42 mph now.