Driveshaft Vibration

[ati190]

Hello all

I have vibration coming from my driveshaft. How am I sure? Well i'll fill you in. My carrier bearing went out initially, so I removed the driveshaft, and took both pieces to a local machine shop. Well they didn't mark anything, and I got the shaft back misaligned, took it back, they claimed to have realigned it. However I had the shaft balanced, and it was way out, but i still get vibration (shuddering in the cab). The rear end is fine, bearings and all. Transmission/engine mounts fine. Outpout shaft fine. No play in anything. I've tripple checked everything. U-joints are new as well. Tires brand new/balanced and aligned. Leading me to believe its the shaft.

While it was at the machine shop I had purchased a carrier bearing, they claimed I needed the one for the 4x4, even though my truck is 2wd. I.D is apparently different. The truck is an extended cab. So I returned the bearing for the 4x4 bearing. They slapped it on and away I went. I still get vibrations at 45mph-55mph. Could they have balanced the shaft with a bad center carrier bearing? Also, the slip yoke in the rear shaft is a bit worn.

I'd like to replace my driveshaft I guess. I need this shuddering gone. I normally have patience, and can ignore various noises, but this I can not.
Would this be my best bet?. How much should one run me from a junkyard? I'm looking to get both sections. Or get a one piece even though noone has done it on a 2wd?

thanks

ati190

 

[ati190]

One other question, when the shafts were balanced, I gave them both shafts. Could they have balanced the shafts if ujoints were bad? Even though they are new, I may have gotten a bad one, I'm just trying to figure out what direction to go!

thanks
ati190

 

[Shran]

You can replace it with a one piece shaft. 2 piece shafts are gay.

I think that they can't be balanced if the u-joints are bad or missing...thats why when you order a brand new one they come with u-joints.

I got a junkyard driveshaft to replace my bent one for $85.

 

[ati190]

I would need one from a 2wd ext cab 98+ then? Will i have clearance issues?

thanks

ati190

 

[Mechanickid]

Yeah I was going to do the one piece shaft swap on my 88 but IDK what to do with the stock cross member?

 

[CJREX]

Remove the crossmember.

Have fun with the @#$% rivets

The one-piece cured my vibration issues completely.

Oh yeah, if you do the 1 piece, you'll also have to trim the fuel tank skidplate slightly.

See the article on the Tech page.

 

[Mechanickid]

I thought the X-member was a structural part of the frame? IDK if it is or not but I don't think it not being there will hurt anything....

 

[valleyvinyl84]

ati if you don't mind me asking, what shop did you go to?

 

[ati190]

To change the bearing? Valley auto, they pressed it on. After it got messed up, I took it to Cooks Brothers for balancing.

 

[valleyvinyl84]

I always used FleetPride for balancing driveshafts, never had a problem. Valley is a good machine shop tho.

 

[ati190]

Well valley misaligned my yokes, i'm not impressed. Also, noone has seemed to point me in some direction. I'm not sure if cooks balanced it correctly either. It's two piece shaft. By the way I seen your chevy sitting at A&A, word up man, nice truck.

 

[valleyvinyl84]

Well when I bannana'ed the driveshaft in my Chevy I had one made at FleetPride from scratch(a couple sizes bigger and thicker). They balanced it and everything and I have yet to have a problem. I'd check out their prices, because it might be a better route than a junkyard for reliability. Also, thanks about the Chevy, when I can finally get it clean (not get phone calls that theres broken jeeps that need a tow off the trails) I'll take pics and post up.

 

[ati190]

I have one question, I know what the size of I.D of the bearing is, what I need to know is, How tall is the carrier bearing assembly from the crossmember to the top of the bearing assembly. Or if anyone knows the height of the bearing assembly.


Thanks

ati190

 

[Shran]

I think it's probably 4-5 inches tall but that is just a guess. Probably just have to jump under there and measure.

 

[valleyvinyl84]

ati I got work at 5 I'll check for ya. Well as long as we have one on the shelf.