I'm planning to get the driveshaft on my '99 B2500 (4-banger, 2wd, manual shift) balanced, and I have a feeling I'm going to need to have the u-joint replaced (lots of wobbling at slow speeds, shaking and vibration at high speeds, and now noticeable squeaking from the rear end). The guy at the driveshaft shop e-mailed me back and said that balancing the shaft would be no problem, but that the u-joint might be the non-replaceable type. Anyone know if the B2500s from that period have the non-replaceable u-joint, and what my options might be?

 

Find another shop.He's talking out his a$$.
His deal is "just leave the old one here , I'll dispose of it for you. I'll sell you this new one at a discount."
He then takes the old one out back after you leave,tears it down,polish it up with the wire wheel,install new joints, Maybe a little paint and repackage.
Just like the "new" one he just sold you.

 

I agree. Anyone that works at a driveshaft shop knows that they're replaceable. I've never even seen a truck that didn't have replaceable joints. Just some awd cars. You probably don't need it balanced either. They're balanced at the factory. The only reason you'd need to balance it is if you hit it on something or if you built a new driveshaft. All the vibration is from the bad joint, change it out I bet it wont shake at all anymore. Save some $$

 

All of the u-joints are serviceable on that driveshaft. Precision 254

 

Thanks much, everyone!