Drive shaft and U-joint laid out on the shop floor

Driveline Repair

Truck Driveline Repair — U-Joints, Carrier Bearings, Shaft Replacement

In short

Driveline failures show up as vibration that gets worse with speed, clunking under throttle changes, or — at the bad end — a snapped driveshaft on the highway. We replace U-joints, carrier bearings, slip joints, and driveshafts. Driveline angles get checked when we replace anything because a bad angle eats parts. Most driveline work happens at your yard or roadside.

Call (931) 561-7736

Based in Russellville, KY · 75-mile radius

Symptoms we look for

You hear
  • · Vibration that grows with speed
  • · Clunk on throttle on/off
  • · Squeal from under the truck
You see
  • · Rust streaks at U-joint cap (joint failing dry)
  • · Carrier bearing rubber cracked
  • · Slip joint with worn splines
  • · Driveshaft visibly bent or dented
You smell
  • · Hot grease smell from under the truck

What we cover

  • U-joint replacement (4-joint and 5-joint driveshafts)
  • Carrier bearing (center support bearing) replacement
  • Slip joint service and lubrication
  • Driveshaft replacement (full assembly when needed)
  • Driveline angle measurement and correction
  • Pinion seal replacement (when accessing the driveline)
  • Yoke replacement at transmission and differential

How we handle it

Most driveline issues are diagnosed in 15 minutes once the truck is up. We pull the driveshaft if the U-joint is past inspection limits, replace the joints with the right cross-and-cap kit for the rated capacity, and re-balance if the shaft has been disturbed. Carrier bearing replacement is mid-shaft surgery — straightforward once the driveshaft is out. We check driveline angles against OEM spec when replacing major components because incorrect angles eat U-joints in a hurry.

Parts & warranty

U-joints from Spicer/Dana in the rated capacities the OEM specs. Carrier bearings Dana/Spicer or NSK. Yokes Spicer. Driveshafts custom-built through a local driveline shop when a replacement assembly is needed. 1-year parts-and-labor warranty.

Related services

Other repairs

Coverage by city

Driveline Repair on-site in the cities below. Each link goes to the per-city page with localized response details.

Need driveline repair? Call Brennan.

On-site diesel and semi truck repair across the I-65 / I-24 corridor. 24/7 dispatch — the owner answers.

Call (931) 561-7736

Real work, real shop

  • Air dryer canister mounted to the chassis frame
  • Small differential or transfer-case gear set

Frequently asked

How do I know if it's a driveline vibration vs a tire vibration?
Driveline vibrations get worse with vehicle speed (related to RPM × gear ratio). Tire vibrations track exactly to wheel speed. We can isolate it in 10 minutes with a chassis ear or visual inspection of the U-joints and tires.
How often do U-joints need to be replaced?
Depends on duty cycle and lubrication. Greaseable U-joints get a shot at every PM and can last 200k+ miles. Sealed (non-greaseable) joints fail by symptom, typically 150k–300k. If the joint is dry or has play, it goes.
My driveshaft is making noise but not failing yet. Worth fixing?
Yes. A U-joint that's making noise will fail in the next 5,000–20,000 miles. A driveshaft failure on the highway is a major event — it can take out brake lines, fuel lines, and the cross-member. Cheap to fix early, expensive to fix late.
Can you check driveline angles?
Yes. We use a digital angle finder against OEM spec sheets. Bad angles are usually a sign that the suspension or trans crossmember has moved — we'll catch and fix the underlying issue, not just the symptom.

What customers say

4.7 / 5 from 43 Google reviews

  • “Brennan was great — absolutely hire this guy. I own a local tree company in Goodlettsville and one of my work trucks broke down at short notice. He was able to get there within a day or two and diagnose it. My turbo went out on one of my vehicles — when I went to the dealership they told me the wait time was forever and the process would include taking the cab off, which wouldn't work well with my current setup. Within one day he was able to replace my turbo and get it running so I could get back in business. The job was really labor-intensive but he made quick work of it and it runs even better than it did before. He's now the main guy I go to.”

    — Tyler M.

  • “We've used Blacktop Mobile Repair twice this month, and both experiences have been nothing short of amazing. They run a top-notch operation, and it really shows in the quality of service and professionalism they provide. Jacob, the service tech, went above and beyond to make sure our truck was taken care of. He even drove out of his way to make sure he had the exact part needed to fix the truck and get us back on the road quickly. That level of dedication and commitment is hard to find. As a trucking company, downtime is costly, and having a team like Brennan and Jacob we can rely on makes all the difference.”

    — Matthew P.

  • “I've used these guys in the past for an air compressor installation. Jacob was great. And recently my alternator quit on the weekend. I called Jacob on a Saturday and he helped me find one that I could pick up myself. Both times Jacob was knowledgeable & fair. A few months later — again on a Saturday — I wasn't even in their area and I called again to get troubleshooting advice. They are very good at diagnosing. Was able to pinpoint the trouble. Thanks again guys!”

    — Dennis W.

Read all 43 reviews on Google

Call (931) 561-7736