Driveshaft Balancing in Santa Barbara / Ventura
#1
Driveshaft Balancing in Santa Barbara / Ventura
After researching many very helpful posts on the forum I completed rebuilding the front driveshaft on my '03 with greasable U joints and a new center ball a couple weeks ago. Now there seems to be a *slight* increase in vibration at 75-85 mph and I'm thinking the driveshaft is a little off-balance after the rebuild.
1] Does this vibration cause accelerated wear on other driveline components? I'm judging how quickly I should get it resolved ... or IF I should get it resolved at all.
2] I called Driveline Services in Ventura and they quoted me $45 just for the balancing. I remember reading about another forum member being able to get the driveshaft rebuilt, balanced, and painted for about that much. Am I getting robbed?
Thanks.
Alan
1] Does this vibration cause accelerated wear on other driveline components? I'm judging how quickly I should get it resolved ... or IF I should get it resolved at all.
2] I called Driveline Services in Ventura and they quoted me $45 just for the balancing. I remember reading about another forum member being able to get the driveshaft rebuilt, balanced, and painted for about that much. Am I getting robbed?
Thanks.
Alan
#2
#3
Mike, thanks again for your input. I'll get it balanced asap. I don't need to solve the old problem just to create a new one.
You're right - probably not for $40 but since both Martin (Luv2Disco) and humroot got theirs rebuilt and balanced for $50 labor I figure I'd check with the collective wisdom here. On the other hand it's not a lot of money compared to the $100+ I just spent on 6 qts of gear oil .... I just don't want to feel stupid that's all.
You're right - probably not for $40 but since both Martin (Luv2Disco) and humroot got theirs rebuilt and balanced for $50 labor I figure I'd check with the collective wisdom here. On the other hand it's not a lot of money compared to the $100+ I just spent on 6 qts of gear oil .... I just don't want to feel stupid that's all.
#4
$45 to rebalance it is a fair price. It's $50 here in Atlanta.
Now that you have zerk fittings on the u-joints, don't forget to grease them every oil change, or at least every 5,000 miles. 5k is the specified service interval, but I do mine with my 3k oil change because I'm under there anyway. Make sure you get new grease coming out from around all 4 seals on each u-joint.
Now that you have zerk fittings on the u-joints, don't forget to grease them every oil change, or at least every 5,000 miles. 5k is the specified service interval, but I do mine with my 3k oil change because I'm under there anyway. Make sure you get new grease coming out from around all 4 seals on each u-joint.
#5
Update: Got my rebuilt front drive shaft rebalance at Drive Line Service in Oxnard. When I did the rebuilt I used new c-clips except for the caps where the zerk fittings stick out as the new clip won't fit. They noticed that and mentioned that the ends of the c clips can be snipped off before installation. Their concern was that different thickness clip can create an imbalance. All it takes is 0.007" offset for it to be a problem. So for $45 they put in snipped new c clips on the 3 caps with zerk fittings, balanced the shaft, and painted it. Nice people to work with. Now vibration is gone!
#7
My thinking is that with all the new u joints, centering ball, additional zerk fittings, and how the u joints fit inside the carriers there are too many variables to deal with to ensure a balanced rebuilt shaft without rebalancing. Those original c clips were definitely a red flag to the driveline people. But I also saw that they had to add some new weight to the shaft so I guess there is more to it.
I thought about staggering the zerk fittings to help keep it balanced but decided it's too much of a pain when it comes to time to lube them so I have them all on one side. I don't have a garage and my parking space has a slight slope to it so I can't really leave the truck in neutral and turn the shaft by hand. The truck started rolling as I disconnected the shaft from the front diff - not my finest moment but I came out in one piece =>
I thought about staggering the zerk fittings to help keep it balanced but decided it's too much of a pain when it comes to time to lube them so I have them all on one side. I don't have a garage and my parking space has a slight slope to it so I can't really leave the truck in neutral and turn the shaft by hand. The truck started rolling as I disconnected the shaft from the front diff - not my finest moment but I came out in one piece =>
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