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| | | Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 9,428 Likes: 2 carpal tunnel | OP carpal tunnel Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 9,428 Likes: 2 | I have been trying to figure out where the driveline vibration in my van is coming from. I was back at it again today with the help of my club member Tim. We got the van up on jack stands and started checking everything underneath. Trans mount, ok Universal joints, ok Axle bearings, ok Differential, ok (oil also ok)
Next we started the van and put in gear to let the wheels spin. No noise or grinding or vibrations or leaks coming from anywhere around the rear axle. But when I looked down the driveshaft from the rear to the trans, I noticed a wobble. And then we let the shaft spin and looked at it from the side. We both could definitely see a wobble up near the yoke. So I'm concluding I have a bent driveshaft.
Does anybody know of a driveshaft shop here in NJ? Should I try to have it repaired? (straightened & balanced) Opinions on a junk yard replacement? Source for a new or rebuilt replacement?
Thanks in advance.
Loonie Toon Truckers... New Jersey Chapter | | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 663 addict | addict Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 663 | just a thought did you get a good look at the yoke itself to make sure there were no cracks | | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 9,428 Likes: 2 carpal tunnel | OP carpal tunnel Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 9,428 Likes: 2 | Yeah, I did a good inspection. But there was no visible damage to any of the components. But you could sure see the shaft wobbling while it was spinning!
Loonie Toon Truckers... New Jersey Chapter | | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 21,211 Likes: 25 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 21,211 Likes: 25 | If you can swing it, go with a new shaft.
You may even be able to get an aluminum one made.
Nate Breece | | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 17 stranger | stranger Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 17 | I'd say junkyard, its faster/cheaper than getting it rebalanced and straightened. Plus, you're doing your part of reusing pretty decent parts from a junked vehicle, just look out for the one's that have been front or rear ended. If money is no issue, get one made. | | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,847 Likes: 42 veteran | veteran Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,847 Likes: 42 | Every Van I have seen at a J/Y has had a bent drive shaft from the forklift used to pick it up.
Not that I have been to a lot of Junkyards though. | | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,662 Likes: 2 carpal tunnel | carpal tunnel Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,662 Likes: 2 | sucks you are so far away.I have a very good shop down here.
Sorry a salvage yard it the last place you want to go. fork lifts used to lift these vans bend the hell out of the drive shafts. scoring one from a good van some body is parting out might be another option
I an also having mine done before my next long road trip.
.......Wookee
Its a "Van Thing" A life style you have to LIVE to understand! Vintage Chevy Van Club
| | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 3,565 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 3,565 | Charlie... A bad U-joint can cause a wobble. Pry on it some with a big screwdriver. Jack up one wheel and have someone spin it back and forth by hand with the van in park while you watch each joint. You may be able to see/feel/pry some movement in the joint if it's bad. And last, just drop it and check the universals with it out. I mean, at that point you're going to have to take it out anyway.
Also I might have a shaft laying around. Post your length from center of the yoke to the other one. I'm sure someone will have one. (However since my earlier post, I realized I sold my aluminum shaft to Swimmster.)
Josh Souders Performance Inc The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!
| | | Re: Driveshaft help needed | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 | id say have a new one made, its not that expensive and well worth it to save possible failure and beating the crap out of the bottom of your van.
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