Drive shaft vibration at high speed
Shaking through the floor that gets worse as you speed up usually means a worn U-joint, a bent shaft or one that's out of balance.
Quality Used Auto Parts
Used Drive Shaft for sale in California, VIN-Matched and Balance-Checked
A shudder when you pull away or a clunk when you shift into drive often points to a worn drive shaft. Each used drive shaft for sale in California from Premium Used Auto Parts is a genuine OEM part. We check it for U-joint play and straightness, and on two-piece shafts, for carrier bearing wear. Then we match it to your VIN before it ships from Rancho Cordova, so it reaches you quickly anywhere in California.
- U-Joints and Balance Checked
- Length and Yoke Matched to Your VIN
- Fast California Delivery
- 90-Day Warranty
Ford F-150Chevy SilveradoRam 1500Toyota TacomaJeep Wrangler
How It Works
What Does a Drive Shaft Actually Do?
The drive shaft is the long spinning tube under your truck or rear-wheel-drive car. It carries power from the transmission (or the transfer case on a 4x4) back to the differential, which then turns the axle shafts and the wheels. U-joints at each end let it flex as the suspension moves.
When it wears, you feel it: vibration, clunks or shudder. Ignore it long enough and a U-joint can let go, which can drop the shaft and leave you stranded.
Not to be confused with an axle shaft, which turns a single wheel. If that's what you need, see our used axle shafts and CV axles.
Warning Signs
5 Critical Symptoms of a Bad Drive Shaft
Catch these early and a U-joint or carrier bearing might be all you need. Wait too long and you're replacing the whole shaft.
Shudder when pulling away
A shake from a stop that fades as you speed up often points to a worn carrier bearing or U-joint on two-piece shafts.
Clunk when shifting into drive or reverse
A loose U-joint or worn slip yoke.
Squeak at low speed
A dry U-joint that's starting to fail. It gets louder over time.
Rumble that follows road speed, not engine speed
The classic sign of a failing center carrier bearing.
Most Requested
Most Requested Drive Shafts by Model
Pickups make up most of our California drive shaft orders. These are the ones we pull most often.
2013 Ford F150 drive shaft for sale
Depending on cab and bed length, this truck uses a one-piece or two-piece shaft. Your VIN tells us which.
2016 Chevy Silverado drive shaft for sale
Shaft type and material vary by cab, bed and drivetrain, so we match by VIN.
Used Ford F150 drive shaft for sale
Other years in stock, rear and front for 4x4 trucks.
Used Chevy Silverado drive shaft for sale
Rear and front shafts, matched by length and yoke.
Used Ram 1500 drive shaft for sale
A favorite with Central Valley contractors. Crew cab trucks often use two-piece shafts.
Used Toyota Tacoma drive shaft for sale
Popular with off-roaders across the state. Longer cab and bed combinations can use a two-piece shaft.
Used Jeep Wrangler front driveshaft for sale
Lifted Jeeps run the front shaft at steeper angles, which wears joints faster. We match yours by trim and VIN.
Drive Shaft Types
One-Piece vs Two-Piece Drive Shaft, and Front vs Rear
One-piece drive shaft
A single tube from the transmission to the rear differential. It's common on shorter trucks, SUVs and rear-wheel-drive cars.
Two-piece drive shaft
Longer trucks and vans split the shaft in two, with a center carrier bearing holding up the middle. A single long tube would vibrate at speed. The carrier bearing is a common wear point and often gets misdiagnosed. If your truck came with a two-piece shaft, it needs a two-piece replacement.
Rear drive shaft for sale
Every rear-wheel-drive and 4x4 truck has one. We match the length, U-joint series and yoke to your VIN.
Front drive shaft for sale
4x4 and many AWD trucks and SUVs also have a front shaft running from the transfer case to the front differential. It takes a beating off-road, and on lifted trucks the joint angles are steeper.
Steel vs Aluminum Drive Shaft
Your truck came from the factory with one or the other, and the replacement should match. Your VIN tells us which.
| Steel | Aluminum | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Strength | Very strong, good for towing and off-road | Strong enough for its design load, lighter to spin |
| Typical use | Heavy-duty trucks, towing, off-road | Many half-ton trucks and AWD vehicles |
| Our price | $150 to $400 | $200 to $500 |
| Availability | High stock | High stock |
Carbon fiber shafts mostly show up on performance builds. We only get them occasionally, so call to check.
Our Process
Our 4-Step Drive Shaft Verification
A drive shaft spins thousands of times a minute, so small defects turn into big vibrations. We check each one before it ships.
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02
03
04
California Shipping
Drive Shaft Shipping Across California
Drive shafts are long and easy to bend in transit, so we pack each one to protect the tube and the joints. Shipping is free to any address in California, and most orders arrive in 1 to 3 business days.
Sacramento and North State
Sacramento, Roseville, Redding, Chico
Bay Area and Central Coast
San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Monterey
Central Valley
Fresno, Bakersfield, Modesto, Stockton
Southern California
Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim, Riverside
Need a used drive shaft in Los Angeles? LA orders usually arrive in two or three business days.
From our Rancho Cordova yard. Each shaft is checked for U-joint play, straightness and carrier bearing wear, matched to your VIN, and covered by a 90-day warranty.
It depends on the vehicle, the shaft type and labor rates. Our used OEM drive shafts run $400 to $1,200 for most trucks, usually well below dealer price. Ask your shop for an install quote.
Vibration that gets worse with speed, a shudder when pulling away, a clunk when shifting into gear, squeaking at low speed, and a rumble that follows road speed.
Match what your vehicle came with. Longer trucks often use a two-piece shaft with a center carrier bearing. Your VIN tells us which one you need.
Aluminum is lighter and common on many half-ton trucks. Steel is heavier and built for heavy towing and off-road use. Always replace like for like.
Sometimes. If the tube is straight and the yokes are in good shape, new U-joints may fix the problem. If the shaft is bent, out of balance or the yokes are worn, a replacement shaft is usually the better fix.
If you're searching for a used driveshaft near me in California, you don't need a local yard. We ship statewide in 1 to 3 business days.
No. The drive shaft carries power from the transmission or transfer case to the differential. An axle shaft turns a single wheel. If you need the second one, see our used axle shafts and CV axles.
Yes. Every drive shaft comes with a 90-day warranty.
Yes. Call ahead and we'll have it ready.
Pickup and Shipping Hub
Our Rancho Cordova Head Office
- Address10940 White Rock Rd, Suite 210, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
- HoursMonday to Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM Pacific Time
- Phone1-800-606-1107
Length and yoke confirmed first
Get a Quoteon Your Drive Shaft.
Send your VIN and tell us front or rear. We'll confirm the length and yoke, check stock and give you a price and delivery date before you pay.
