Driveshaft mods with a 4 or 6" lift?


motopete

15+ Year Member

Joined
Dec 7, 2008
Messages
102
Points
3,101
City
Victoria BC Canada
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Manual
I have a 89 STX and am in the process of lifting it. What do I have to do to the driveshafts to make this work properly?
 
angular backspacer lifter mount a 3°/4° driveshaft on the street ratio http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgu...N&rlz=1T4GGLL_frCA368CA368&ndsp=18&tbs=isch:1
Driveshaft mods with a 4 or 6" lift?
 
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You dont need to modify the driveshafts any to accomodate the lift, however, depending on the height of the lift the carrier bearing might create some vibration. The remedy would be to lower the carrier bearing, or better yet, replace with a 1-piece driveshaft from a 98-99 truck.

Usually lift kit manufacturers make leaf springs and blocks with the correct angle for the pinion. No need for additional shims.
 
I did a 4 inch lift, and while we did it, we noticed the carrier bearing was shot. The rubber was just shredded. We replaced the bearing but We had alot of chatter afterwards until we adjusted the bearing. This was done by grinding off the rivets that hold the support crossmember, and then driving them out with an air hammer. Next was a drill to clean the holes up a little for some nice big bolts. Grab a ton of washers and add them between the crossmember and frame and snug it up. Of course, there's not a lot of room to work there, so doing it once is a pain, but guess what? Unless your lucky with your guess if washers, you probably have to add or subtract more washers. Take it for a ride, and see how it is.
Repeat the process until the vibration is fixed.

Or skip the process and swap in a one piece. I learned the hard way that this is so much easier.
 
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You know, call me crazy - and I only have a two inch lift - but I swear just by drilling out the rivets and putting bolts in their place torqued to 65 ft lbs has reduced the vibrations a little bit. I suspect that there is a little play in those rivets which would explain this. Of course, it could all be in my head. Either way, a 1-piece swap is just a few days away!
 

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