Those are normal grease marks from the driveshaft ends. They are common and both my V's have had them. Just index the ends and drop the shaft. Then when you put it back in make sure you have equal play on both the front and rear.

 

That's good to hear. I thought I was going to have to get a new driveshaft. Car has 80k on it and the middle u-joints had significantly less grease marks. The bolts came out of both ends with tons of grease on them. I guess they over grease them from the factory?

That said the center support bearing has a ton of play. This normal in your experience as well?

When you say equal play you mean front to rear from the center support?

 

Awesome, thanks for such detailed instructions. Only reason I ask about the center section is I have a thunk on and off throttle and if my hand can move the bearing obviously 500+ hp will. Not bad or anything, or really any worse than any vehicle I've owned. I'll probably just leave it alone this time around but it is nice to have the shaft completely out of the way for removing the transmission.

My center support had shims so I will obviously reuse them and measure the distance for the tran/diff flanges to spec but there isn't much play in the shaft I don't think but will be careful to follow the instructions!

Thanks again!

 

I suppose that much grease is normal, although you're starting to approach the amount of grease I had coming out of mine. I ended up having to take the CV apart and found out that somehow the internal gasket had ripped. That was a fun repair. Your carrier bearing rubber looks a little beat up, but if it's staying centered, I guess you can keep running it. I opted to have mine upgraded by Voodoochikin so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

I have a basic question, and I know this is an older thread, but this one seems to be the most relevant thread. If replacing the driveshaft, how do you ensure it's properly balanced? Does it come with marks that you have to align with how the old driveshaft was mounted on the differential and transmission side?

 

The driveshaft is balanced by itself. A piece of metal, usually a washer, is welded on to it to balance it out. The relationship to IT in the trans or rearend yokes wouldn't matter.

Go to 13:35 for a fun video on a driveshaft getting made.