SOA Conversion driveline noise

[griz700rocket]

This weekend I converted my 99 explorer sport to SOA in the rear. I kept the stock monoleaf and built 1in drop shackles to reduce the amount of lift generated from the SOA conversion. I knew it was a possibility after doing this conversion that my drive shaft would be too short and cause problems. I ordered a 11/16 drive shaft spacer today that will hopefully take care of this. The front has settled some since I adjusted the torsion bars. Will tighten them up a little more tonight when I check the torque on the u-bolts. Here's pictures of before and after the lift.

 

[sportblack99]

Looks good. I went with f150 springs and got 4inches of lift. That's with 2" shackles. Looks like yours. Not sure if I like the rake on mine yet

 

[J_Train]

Looks good. Now needs some wheels and tires

 

[CodePoet]

what's your pinion angle looking like?

 

[J_Train]

That's a good question you said you ordered a spacer ever get it out on?

 

[griz700rocket]

Not sure on pinion angle, just got it together night before last. Going to check it after I put the spacer on as it will increase the angle slightly. Spacer just got ordered yesterday so it won't be here for a few days. Think I'll go ahead and replace both u-joints while I'm at it. Also ordered an aussie locker and new diff cover. Probably should replace both axle seals and pinion seal while I've got it all apart too.

 

[J_Train]

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[griz700rocket]

Update: Got my driveshaft spacer installed. Bought a cheap one off e-bay for a ford 8.8 and the bolt pattern was too small to fit on the differential side but fit perfect on the transfer case side. Fixed the noise / vibration. Also replaced both axle seals, pinion seal, installed the aussie locker and topped off with amsoil synthetic gear lube.

Purchased a longer torsion adjuster bolt for the drivers side. The passenger side still had some adjustment left in it. With the passenger side stock bolt maxed out and the new drivers side adjusted to match the front only sits 1/4 inch lower than the rear. I'll try to get a picture up later.

 

[IZwack]

That noise might have been the slip joint operating near its minimal engaged limit - as you pull the driveshaft apart, less and less teeth are in contact with each other in the slip joint which allows more lateral "play" in the driveshaft (which allows it to wobble).

 

[griz700rocket]

Exactly, hence why I added the drive shaft spacer.