Now I am completely confused, nowhere in the first post does it say that the shaft is replaced, then we are told that it is replaced because the parts are pinned together, then we are told that someone has a pinning tool, and assume it is not replaced.
First you cannot buy a u-joint then you can. I assume the u-joint is pinned to stop it flying apart and having the shafts smash around.
Very in Canada.
The shaft in the picture looks like it has had seven shades of ***** beaten out of it and is only fit for scrap.
A one piece shaft would mean that the flex joints see more work, I see them as a bit flaky anyway and thus they would need replacement sooner.