you should get your wheels ballanced too if you have not done that already.
Drive shaft dent
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 9
From: Raymond NH
Drive shaft dent
For years I've had a slight vibration at 55-60 MPH. Last year had complete rear suspension replaced, still had the vibration. Today, I pulled the drive shaft and found this dent on the aft end. Is that enough to cause the vibration? This is a '72.
pb
pb
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 9
From: Raymond NH
I should have looked here first, but the other stuff needed to be done, anyway.
Thanks for the input, guys.
Now, does anyone recommend the best place to get the shaft among all the competing parts vendors?
pb
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I would just take that shaft into a good driveshaft place and ask them to check it over and give you an estimate to refurb and rebalance it. That will likely cost less than a new driveshaft (plus you don't know how well the new one will be balanced!). If the dent doesn't look like a problem to them, leave it alone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
Contact Fort Wayne Clutch & Driveline @ 800-258-8243. They could tell you how much a repair would be but also build their own drive and half shafts for vettes if you need a replacement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
I would just take that shaft into a good driveshaft place and ask them to check it over and give you an estimate to refurb and rebalance it. That will likely cost less than a new driveshaft (plus you don't know how well the new one will be balanced!). If the dent doesn't look like a problem to them, leave it alone.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 556
From: Seattle Washington
I'm going to say Your Driveline is bent. Probably very little. If you think about putting a Dent in one side will shorten it leaving the good side Longer. I had just about the same dent in one of the 1/2 shafts after it broke a U-Joint and I drove it to a show with no vibration. Looks like your driveling has a bunch of paint on it to. If its all on one side then thats going to throw it out of balance to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
two problems with your shaft. one is,of course the dent, which probably by itself wouldn't change the balance. but what it would do is bend the shaft. which leads to the second problem. there is so much corrosion on the surface the drive line tech won't be able to measure the run-out. but before you buy a new shaft(about $250) take to a shop and have them spin it to see how bad it is(take the yoke also).
as far as the vibration that you're chasing, the shaft may not be the problem. check things like cooling fan, pulleys, and the biggie-drive shaft angles.
as far as the vibration that you're chasing, the shaft may not be the problem. check things like cooling fan, pulleys, and the biggie-drive shaft angles.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
The dent should be an easy to fix for a driveshaft shop. All they do is drill a hole in the shaft, heat up the dent and blow air into it to get the dent out, than balance it. You could always retube it with the original yokes to keep cost down too.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Cumana
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 9
From: Raymond NH
Took the shaft to a place in Manchester, NH; they immediately noticed that both sides had a dent where someone had hammered the shaft to remove the U-joints (for replacement) Since I've owned the car for 38 years, I don't remember this being done, but I don't remember everything about yesterday.
Anyway, they will rebuild, repair, do what's necessary for cost less than buying a new one and fully balance. (get the slip yoke). Keeping the money local...Sorry Eckler...
Will report as to whether or not the vibration is gone.
Thanks again,
pb
