Someone is selling an Rx8 near me, stating it's in good condition and only needs a driveshaft replacement. I have been lurking and posting here for years and never heard of anyone needing a driveshaft replacement. If it does need to be replaced did it damage the engine on its way out at all?

 

Might need more info. Driveshafts don't usually need replacement unless they were damaged by something. If that's the case, there may be other problems.

 

the u-joints on the RX8 shaft aren’t replaceable, which could be one reason.

if the carbon manual trans shaft is cracked or damaged could be another reason requiring replacement.

without knowing all the details, buying one in that condition could be risky. If it has a vibration then that could be as simple as a PPF alignment adjustment, a costly driveshaft replacement, or pulling your hair out for months trying to figure it out.
.

 

Actually joints are/were replaceable, have a look at the USA Series 1 .Pdf Parts Book.
Here is the part number
P003-25-060A
And I have 2, would you like a pic.

And yes later EPCs don't show any replacememnt UJ's, perhaps something to do with shaft being carbon fibre?

 

all of the OE CF shafts I’ve seen have no clips on the U-joint caps like replaceable U-joints have.

maybe the steel shaft on the early 4-spd Auto trans models had them though.
.

 

My u-joints are staked into the yokes, no way to replace I can see.

 

yep
.