Is this front drive shaft / Cardan Joint salvageable

Got the front drive shaft off my 92 xj and found this. The plastic keeper in the spider geer is broken. Additionally, there is a tit coming from the u the bracket/basket that is broken off on one side. It looks like either two springs or wires were comingout but they are chewed up. Also, the bearing/knuckle is galled a bit. The pivot point on the round ring/knuckle is also wallered out a bit on one side. Look at the pics. So, do I need to just look for another driveshaft? How much play is there supposed to be in this piece...assuming it is two pieces! See the links for pics.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/75256421@N03/6779195987/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75256421@N03/6779198043/

Thanks for your feedback.
GB

new driveshaft time, the centering pin in the ball cup is completely rusted out and has come apart. there should be no play whatsoever in that joint.

Thanks. So is this one of those parts you don't gain much by pulling a used one off the salvage yard?

bogaski said:

Thanks. So is this one of those parts you don't gain much by pulling a used one off the salvage yard?

Click to expand...

Not at all. I snagged a front driveshaft from the Pullapart to use with my SYE that had no play in the cv joint at all. The needles and race even looked new and shiny when I tore it apart to rebuild it. The ujoints actually looked brand new, but I did replace those. Its the luck of the draw really. The sure bet is a new driveshaft, but if you can inspect used ones before you buy (i.e., a diy salvage yard) you might try to do that first.