Half-Shaft balancing???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
Half-Shaft balancing???
I recently bought some new steel half-shafts from Van Steel and they stated that they don't need balancing. After speaking with Drive Line Services the tech advisor was familiar with Corvette half-shafts and he recommended that they be balanced. He stated that any driveshaft/half-shaft spinning at over 1,200 RPM needs to be balanced and that they personally like to balance anything that spins over 1,000 RPM. He explained that an unbalanced half-shaft is bad for the gears, bearings, seals, etc...
Is this correct on the balancing requirement or is this diveline company just trying to forge out a few more $$$.
Is this correct on the balancing requirement or is this diveline company just trying to forge out a few more $$$.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Did they say balancing or rebalancing? Van Steel is a middle man like lots of these companies. The manufacturer probably balanced them.
My old drive shaft experienced over 9000 rpm and was very smooth. But it was a custom balanced shaft for my OD tranny
My old drive shaft experienced over 9000 rpm and was very smooth. But it was a custom balanced shaft for my OD tranny
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
I had the half-shafts cut down by 1" for a custom project car....
I would assume they need balancing for the above stated reasons, but still now 100% sure. These are for a C-4 rear suspension and with that they are large appx. 3" in diameter and heavy as they are steel. I didn't want to go with the aluminum ones since they are weak and the carbon fiber too pricey...Each half-shaft must weigh 15#'s!!!
I would assume they need balancing for the above stated reasons, but still now 100% sure. These are for a C-4 rear suspension and with that they are large appx. 3" in diameter and heavy as they are steel. I didn't want to go with the aluminum ones since they are weak and the carbon fiber too pricey...Each half-shaft must weigh 15#'s!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 6
If the shafts were made properly in the first place, there is absolutely no need for balancing. A good machine shop will see to it that everything runs true and on center. A need for balancing is an indication of sloppy methods or procedures by the manufacturer.
The above assumes, of course, that the shafts have not been damaged in any way - dented, bent, twisted. If they have, all bets are off. In that case, it would be more appropriate to replace them with new components, not try to cover up the problem with counterweights.
The above assumes, of course, that the shafts have not been damaged in any way - dented, bent, twisted. If they have, all bets are off. In that case, it would be more appropriate to replace them with new components, not try to cover up the problem with counterweights.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
If the shafts were made properly in the first place, there is absolutely no need for balancing. A good machine shop will see to it that everything runs true and on center. A need for balancing is an indication of sloppy methods or procedures by the manufacturer.
The above assumes, of course, that the shafts have not been damaged in any way - dented, bent, twisted. If they have, all bets are off. In that case, it would be more appropriate to replace them with new components, not try to cover up the problem with counterweights.
The above assumes, of course, that the shafts have not been damaged in any way - dented, bent, twisted. If they have, all bets are off. In that case, it would be more appropriate to replace them with new components, not try to cover up the problem with counterweights.
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