drivetrain

Driveshaft - Rear

for 2017 Dodge Viper 8.4L V10 · RWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.4 h

Tools

Steps

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Procedure for removing and installing the rear driveshaft on a 2008 Dodge Viper with 8.4L V10, including center bearing support and flange/yoke connections.

Warnings

⚠️The vehicle must be supported on jack stands rated for its weight. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.

⚠The driveshaft is heavy and awkward. Have an assistant or support device ready when removing to prevent injury or damage to components.

⚠Mark all driveshaft-to-flange orientations before removal to maintain balance and phasing. Incorrect installation can cause severe vibration.

ℹ️If removing the pinion yoke, expect a small amount of differential fluid to drain. Have a drain pan ready.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (0-300 Nm range)Essential

Socket set (deep sockets for driveshaft bolts)Essential

Wrench setEssential

Pry bar

Punch or drift

Thread locking compound (medium strength)Essential

Marker or paint pen

Drain pan

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Parts

Differential pinion yoke nut (if removing yoke) × 1 — Use OEM specification
Rear driveshaft assembly (if replacing) × 1 — Use OEM specification
Center bearing support (if worn) × 1 — Use OEM specification

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
Raise vehicle to working height using floor jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points.
Ensure adequate clearance to access driveshaft from underneath.
Allow exhaust system to cool completely before working near driveshaft.

Procedure

1
Mark driveshaft alignment
Before loosening any fasteners, use a marker or paint pen to mark the orientation of the driveshaft to the rear differential pinion flange and to the transmission output flange. Mark both the shaft and the mating flanges so you can align them exactly during reinstallation. This preserves the factory balance and phasing of the driveshaft assembly.
2
Support the driveshaft
Position a floor jack or have an assistant ready to support the weight of the driveshaft once fasteners are removed. The driveshaft will drop when released and can damage components or cause injury if not supported.
3
Remove rear driveshaft flange bolts
At the rear differential, locate the 4 bolts securing the driveshaft flange to the pinion flange. Remove all 4 bolts and retain them for reinstallation. You may need to rotate the driveshaft slightly to access all bolts. Note that these are flange-to-flange bolts securing the driveshaft directly to the differential.
Torque spec
Driveshaft Flange Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
4
Separate rear connection
With all rear bolts removed, carefully pry or pull the driveshaft flange away from the pinion flange. The connection should separate easily. Support the driveshaft weight to prevent it from dropping onto the exhaust or other components.
5
Remove center bearing support mounting bolts
Locate the center bearing support mounted to the vehicle chassis or crossmember. Remove the 2 bolts or mounting fasteners securing the center bearing support bracket to the frame. Support the driveshaft as you remove these fasteners to prevent the assembly from falling.
6
Remove front driveshaft connection
At the transmission output flange, remove the 4 bolts securing the front driveshaft flange to the transmission output flange. Again, you may need to rotate the driveshaft to access all bolts. Keep these bolts organized as they may differ from the rear bolts.
Torque spec
Driveshaft Flange Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
7
Remove driveshaft assembly
With all mounting points disconnected, carefully lower and remove the complete driveshaft assembly from the vehicle. Maneuver it past the exhaust system and any other obstructions. The assembly includes the front shaft section, center bearing support, and rear shaft section as a complete unit.
8
Inspect components
Inspect the center bearing for wear, noise, or roughness. Check all U-joints for play, binding, or damage. Examine the driveshaft tubes for dents, cracks, or damage. Inspect the splined slip joint (if equipped) for wear. Check both flanges for cracks or damaged bolt holes. Replace any worn or damaged components before reinstallation.
9
Inspect differential pinion flange
While the driveshaft is removed, inspect the differential pinion flange for wear, damage, or runout. Check that the pinion nut is tight and that there is no excessive play in the pinion bearings. If pinion flange replacement is needed, note that this requires setting pinion preload and is a more involved procedure.
10
Position driveshaft assembly
Lift the driveshaft assembly into position, maneuvering it past exhaust components. Support the assembly with a jack or assistant while aligning the mounting points. Ensure the center bearing support is positioned correctly on its mounting location on the chassis.
11
Install center bearing support
Align the center bearing support bracket with its mounting holes on the chassis crossmember. Install the 2 mounting bolts and tighten them snug but do not fully torque yet. The center bearing should be allowed some movement until all connections are made.
12
Connect front driveshaft flange
Align the front driveshaft flange with the transmission output flange, matching your alignment marks from disassembly. Install all 4 flange bolts and tighten them in a cross pattern to the specified torque of 75 Nm (55 lb-ft). Ensure the flanges are fully seated together before torquing.
Torque spec
Driveshaft Flange Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
13
Connect rear driveshaft flange
Align the rear driveshaft flange with the differential pinion flange, matching your alignment marks from disassembly. Install all 4 flange bolts and tighten them in a cross pattern to the specified torque of 75 Nm (55 lb-ft). Verify the flanges are fully mated before torquing.
Torque spec
Driveshaft Flange Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
14
Final torque center bearing support
With both driveshaft ends connected and torqued, now fully tighten the center bearing support mounting bolts. Torque the 2 mounting bolts to manufacturer specification. The center bearing should now be properly loaded with the driveshaft at its normal operating position.

Reassembly

Reassembly is covered in the removal steps above, performed in reverse order with attention to alignment marks.
Always replace the differential pinion yoke nut if the yoke was removed (not typically required for driveshaft replacement).
Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification and that no tools or parts were left under the vehicle.

Verification

Start the engine and check for any unusual noises or vibrations from the driveline.
Test drive the vehicle at various speeds, paying attention to any vibration that could indicate improper driveshaft balance or phasing.
Check for any leaks at the differential pinion seal if the yoke was disturbed.
After test drive, re-inspect all driveshaft mounting bolts to ensure they remain tight.

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