Front DC drive shaft vibration:

[Nay]

As a FYI, I checked with the shop and they use this machine to balance. http://www.helc.net/asp/products/product_details.asp?productid=24
The shaft is spinned up slowly to 3200 rmp from standstill and then all the way down to make sure there are no issues at slower speeds as well.

Just seeing the type and amount of weights on the pic was a good indication of quality tube and balancing, and the Axi-line "shaftmaster" appears to be top of the line in balancing machines.

That's good to see/know, because it really does make the possibility of 2 "bad" shafts in a row quite remote.

Nay

 

[Beowulf]

The vibrations are not as pronounced as I understood them to be. They definitely exist, but I wouldn't consider them as anything near 'shaking'. You have to pay attention while driving to notice them.

Did Tools-R-Us drive the vehicle? What was his assessment of this minor vibration? It would help if we could get another unbiased and unembelished report on this vibration before we all UnSubscribe from this thread.

-B-

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Did Tools-R-Us drive the vehicle? What was his assessment of this minor vibration? It would help if we could get another unbiased and unembelished report on this vibration before we all UnSubscribe from this thread.

-B-

He did, and one thing he pointed out RIGHT AT THE START was how the vibration was so pronounced in the T-case shifter. We didn't get up to higher speed though 60+ where the noise worsens.

 

[sleeoffroad]

The one thing that John also mentions is that the vibrations start at 10mph and then gets worse. I just don't see a driveshaft doing that at that low of a speed, unless it was made from square tubing. John, did you check for rubbing or interference at the CV end?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The one thing that John also mentions is that the vibrations start at 10mph and then gets worse. I just don't see a driveshaft doing that at that low of a speed, unless it was made from square tubing. John, did you check for rubbing or interference at the CV end?

Clearance is fine. All looks fine. The driveshaft tube is round.

The owner is square, man!

 

[desertdude]

Wow! How'd you get back?

I have friends in high places - I was being serious about the offer

 

[T Y L E R]

*Whispering in a hushed tone .. *


I had subscribed to this thread .. but now I feel so .. so .. dirty. So unsatisfied .. so ---- exhausted.

I apologize, but I must un-subscribe myself ..


Farewell cold world ...


TY - *swallowed up by bad vibes...*

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

For those who are still subscribed........

Here's the latest:

*A Toyota Master Mechanic drove the LX and stated it felt like driveline problems. He stated it was not the front axle because of the vibes at such a low speed.
*Toyota rebuilt the front axle assembly
*2 Master Mechanics re-drove the LX...no change.
*Both Mechanics looked everything over and verified all looked good including the front and rear T-case output bearings and F&R pinion flanges.

*They changed the phasing on the front shaft one step at a time and to no change. They suspect a bad or non-balanced front D/C shaft. (This would mean 2 bad ones in a row if they are correct)
*They said that my next step should be to get both shafts balance-checked and if needed, re-balance.

Sound like my best option if this were your truck?

 

[Romer]

*They said that my next step should be to get both shafts balance-checked and if needed, re-balance.

Sound like my best option if this were your truck?

Think I said that several pages ago. So yeah, I still think that. The key word is both.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Think I said that several pages ago. So yeah, I still think that. The key word is both.

I remember. Ya, I did the rear but not the front because I got a brand new 2nd one from Slee that was checked before shipment. We'll see next week hopefully.

Dang, I gotta fix it. This thing is sweet. I MIGHT like it more than my 100. (MIGHT )

 

[concretejungle]

shotts, i really think those shafts the slee sells are balanced. surely he wouldn't mail out a shaft costing what it does only to need additional service before installation. Just my thinking there.

My guess is that your angles may be in that special spot where nothing is happy. Too steep driveshaft angle for a regular shaft and yet not flat enough for a DC shaft. Just thinking here.

Heck you are only 912 miles from golden, CO and Slee!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

shotts, i really think those shafts the slee sells are balanced. surely he wouldn't mail out a shaft costing what it does only to need additional service before installation. Just my thinking there.

My guess is that your angles may be in that special spot where nothing is happy. Too steep driveshaft angle for a regular shaft and yet not flat enough for a DC shaft. Just thinking here.

Heck you are only 912 miles from golden, CO and Slee!

Agree on the balancing totally....though everything/one keeps pointing back to the front shaft as their guess.

Highly doubt it can be the front angle...it's done the exact same thing at 3 various lift heights i.e. 3 angles. The current angle offers a spot-on perfect angle for a D/C shaft.

 

[sleeoffroad]

John, you can also go this route
http://www.colorado4x4.net/Friends/Kumar/Misc/driveshaft.html

have your local shop do it, then it is easier to have them check the balance etc.

Also, we are going to be testing a 4" setup with control arms in the next couple of weeks. Then we will see if we can run this with control arms and stock driveshaft.

 

[desmocruiser]

I am jumping on the make certain (taking to a shop that has the proper equipment) the rear driveshaft is perfectly balanced and the u joints are good bandwagon. I just installed the 4" front springs with caster plates and quickly worked out all the vibes, I feel very strongly that it would have been much more difficult if I had not done the rear shaft at the same time. My motto next time I do any lift on a Cruiser is to do both shafts with the lift, that way I can rule them out .I spent $185 for all four u-joints and $100 for the shop to install u/j's and balance both. $285 and 1 hour of my own labor I am vibe free and the 4" springs, well let's just say thay are the real deal.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I am jumping on the make certain (taking to a shop that has the proper equipment) the rear driveshaft is perfectly balanced and the u joints are good bandwagon. I just installed the 4" front springs with caster plates and quickly worked out all the vibes, I feel very strongly that it would have been much more difficult if I had not done the rear shaft at the same time. My motto next time I do any lift on a Cruiser is to do both shafts with the lift, that way I can rule them out .I spent $185 for all four u-joints and $100 for the shop to install u/j's and balance both. $285 and 1 hour of my own labor I am vibe free and the 4" springs, well let's just say thay are the real deal.

So you are using a STOCK front driveshaft with 4" springs and WHICH caster correction? OME or Slee? OOOPS! I re-read...caster plates. Sorry.

Well, I'm at 5.5" and want to stay there so I know I need a D/C shaft. Balancing is next.

 

[desmocruiser]

I have HEALTHY stock front and rear drive shafts with both caster plates and OME bushings. I am at 4* caster with both and measured the caster both before and after to be certain I was in the correct range of caster.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I have HEALTHY stock front and rear drive shafts with both caster plates and OME bushings. I am at 4* caster with both and measured the caster both before and after to be certain I was in the correct range of caster.

Yes......I wonder if that a worked for me too back then? Probably. I did have a bad rear u-joint so I might have had a bad front one. It's too late though. I want the added height....

 

[desmocruiser]

Possibly so, I feel the d/c front should work with what you have and it is time to look elsewhere. I have played with alot things mechanical, when you find an expert in what they do, stick with them and they will get the puzzle solved. 910 miles to Slee.......time for a roadtrip let them work out the vibes, maybe pick up a few extra mods while you are there, they know their stuff as well as anyone I have dealt with.

 

[-Spike-]

Curious, how much does it cost to have Toyota service the front axle?

-Spike

 

[Romer]

I think this is becoming the 80's section version of the Ultimate Thread.

A local shop told me $1300 to do the front axle. Toyota Mechanics at a Place called Toy Car Care, so the dealer is probably within $150 of that.