U Joint / Front DriveShaft Grinding then Broken! Help!!

[Arlo]

Hello all,

I have an 06 M35x. I got off work today and when I pressed the gas i heard this strange grinding sound coming from the front passenger side. I turn in a circle and the sound gets worse and the car starts to buck a little bit until i give it more gas. I thought it was my splash shield so I pull off my tire (still in the parking lot).

The shield was tight but then upon closer review I see metal shavings. It seems the U bolt broke off of the drive shaft on the transfer case side!

So good people of Nico, how screwed am I? Can this be welded back or do I have to get a replacement drive shaft.

I had no hint or advanced notice of this. Seemed to happen out of the blue.

ANy advice will be appreciated?

SIde note: will a g35x or FX drive shaft work for me?

Link to pics in dropbox
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/odj5u5bw2vtc ... v8iPa?dl=0

[svard75]

Unfortunately there are no user serviceable parts on a driveshaft. You will need to buy a new one. Check out our sponsor infinitiparts.com perhaps it's reasonably priced. Definitely stop driving it like that you'll end up in a much worst situation. What would be interesting is what our cars do if you completely remove the front shaft. Don't know if our transfer case can

[steve_c]

As svard pointed out, the U joints do not appear to be seviceable. They also appear to be sealed units, no grease fittings.

Repairing your old one is not practical at all, (welding, balancing, joint replacement, etc). Going with a used one still gives you the issue of the sealed U joint bearings living off of borrowed time. If I had to go used, I would try to find someone who can service the joints before installing. (I do see remanufactured shafts being offered by one shop).
A new shaft or remanufactured seems the quickest way to get going again.

I see new front shafts (aftermarket) for $395.00. I am curious if they have greaseable fittings.

How many miles on your M35x? It appears a few people have had this issue in the past also!

[Arlo]

i have 145,xxx on her right now.
I hear you on the borrowed time with the used one.

Anyway you can link me to the ones you found for $395? That would really help a lot.

[RockZ007]

I had the same problem with my M35X, it seems that most infiniti use the same shaft which fit M35x G35X EX35 EX45 FX35 & FX45.
I purchase mine from Wholesale Import Parts in Huntington Beach CA They had the best price and product, the driveshaft has replaceable joints so you can replace it if it ever fails for few bucks, this is the way the factory should have made the drive shaft but they decided I guess to make more money that way.
Anyhow here is the link: http://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/Inf ... _Shaft.php

[steve_c]

Rock,
How many miles on your x before your driveshaft went out? Did you replace both front & rear shafts?

[RockZ007]

I just replaced the front driveshaft at about 89k, the rear still holding up well for now.

[BlackCat81]

It seems they either fail, or don't. I've done several on cars in the 100,000mi range. Just be careful it doesn't totally break as I've seen them come loose and punch holes in the bell housing and rub nearly through the upper oil pan. And as stated before, the joint is not serviceable. DO NOT buy an Infiniti one, they're ridiculously expensive. Go aftermarket. They also suck to replace, the cat on that side needs to be removed. The rear shafts last forever. My M has 206k and has the original front shaft in it with no play. So they're totally hit or miss.