Forum Discussion

Klueck's avatar
Klueck
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014

Problem with Driveshaft Disconnect

We have a driveshaft disconnect on our 2012 Nissan Frontier.

It was put on 37,000 miles ago. We had an issue with a broken cable, but nothing else.

The other day, we were driving the truck. We heard a faint pinging noise, then the driveshaft dis-engaged. It was like we were in neutral.

We were able to stop and re-engage it right away. We were able to drive home with no further problems. We haven't driven the truck since.

We need to locate someone that is familiar with a driveshaft disconnect, but we are in the north Georgia mountains.


Can anyone recommend anywhere that installs these driveshaft disconnects that is in this area.

We are about 90 miles northeast of Atlanta, and about 30 miles south of the North Carolina border.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    mfinnerty wrote:
    The two drive shaft disconnects I have had were actually complete drive shafts that replaced the original drive shaft. When I sold the trucks, I included the original drive shafts in case the new owner didn't want the disconnect.


    I saw my S-10 with the disconnect in a Home Depot parking lot a few months after I traded it in. I felt like finding the new owner and asking him if he had received any "surprises" yet. :)
    bumpy
  • mfinnerty's avatar
    mfinnerty
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    The two drive shaft disconnects I have had were actually complete drive shafts that replaced the original drive shaft. When I sold the trucks, I included the original drive shafts in case the new owner didn't want the disconnect.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2014
    Driveshaft is actually tubing, and fairly thin wall at that. So anything hard that jars it will create a Ping not a Clank. We bought a Frontier with manual transmission to avoid a Disconnect/Lube Pump scenario. Not even 4x4 Frontiers with automatic are towable since there's no Neutral in the Transfer Case.

    Cleanup/Tuneup should solve it. A lot of the problems also seem to be the Cable. Either sticky or installed with a kink or tight bend.

    I've always thought that if I wanted a Drive Shaft Disconnect, I would first buy a junkyard driveshaft. Have IT tuned up by a driveshaft shop and the disconnect installed in it. Keep my original for resale or a rainy day.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    camper19709 wrote:
    Check www.rvservicereview.com for trusted mechanics or RV dealer in your area.


    all they are going to do is clean and lubricate the system. stuff you can do yourself.
    bumpy
  • camper19709's avatar
    camper19709
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    Check www.rvservicereview.com for trusted mechanics or RV dealer in your area.
  • mfinnerty's avatar
    mfinnerty
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    When I had a drive shaft disconnect in two of my pickups, the most important thing to keeping them working problem free was periodic cleaning. When the gears get dirty while towing, they can give you problems getting them connected properly.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2014
    as I frequently say in these threads, I had a drive shaft disconnect, Hated it. mine would periodically jump out of mesh. and since you have to jam a turning shaft into a stationary fitting engaging one can be a bit traumatic.
    Mine was installed by a drive shaft balancing refitting operation so they were well versed in installing one.
    sorry you had issues.
    bumpy

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