Still chasing a vibration!! Help me!!

[fast_dave]

You should be able to get a brand new rear driveshaft from a driveshaft shop for less than $300 using all new parts.

I'm quoting PRK prices

I have no idea where the OP is located -

 

[masospaghetti]

I've had rumbles at highway speed be three things - bad wheel bearings, bad differential bearings, or a bent driveshaft. They all sounded and felt exactly the same and similar to what you describe.

The bent driveshaft was not visually bad and I actually went to the trouble of replacing the u-joints. I ended up trying a junkyard shaft and it solved the problem. If you have access to a junkyard, it might be worth a shot. A shop here rebuilt my rear end and replaced the differential bearings for about $400.

 

[drolls]

So here is where I'm at, I dropped the rear shaft of at a driveline shop in town. After I changed the u joints and tested it out the vibration changed, it started at a lower speed(around 20 mph) and seemed less intense. Is it necessary to have the shaft rebalance after changing u joints? Another thing I have been thinking about is if this is related to the warrior shackles I installed 3 weeks ago. One thing I have learned is that when a problem arises it is often related to something you have done to the vehicle recently. Waiting till Monday to see what they say about the driveshaft.

 

[fast_dave]

Is it necessary to have the shaft rebalance after changing u joints?

Sometimes - I've seen it necessary when changing from sealed u-joints to able to Zerk fitting greasable u-joints.

It's a case by case situation. For example, you might have guys with lifted Ex's equipped with Mudders say it isn't - but with all the noise and vibration they have going on they'd never really know ;-)

 

[drolls]

This vibration would be noticeable if you had monster truck tires and a 12 inch lift

 

[drolls]

I really appreciate your help fastdave, I'll figure this thing out soon I hope

 

[94ExploderSport]

How's your driveline angle??

 

[drolls]

I haven't measured the angle and I really am not schooled on how to. I didn't think driveshaft angle would be an issue after reading 20 threads saying the shackles have minimal change.

 

[fast_dave]

This vibration would be noticeable if you had monster truck tires and a 12 inch lift

What I remember, it was a noticeable vibration in a certain RPM range.
I don't recall a change of u-joint variety vibrating at that earth shaking level

 

[94ExploderSport]

Fixed the problem??
Is it under acceleration only ?
Does it go away when you put it in neutral at speed?

 

[drolls]

Problem solved, the driveline shop balanced the shaft, I bolted it back on and the vibration is gone. Either threw a weight or it needed balancing after I changed u joints.

 

[swshawaii]

Congrats! Great to hear, and thanks for the follow up.

Too many threads remain unsolved from other OP's. :thumbdwn:

 

[xplorernewb]

looks like im going to have my drive shaft balanced. i have a vibration at 60+. new tires, tie rods, ujoints.. but never had it balanced..... hmm

 

[Fiveologyjay]

Any luck on the driveshaft rebalance? I'm fighting the same issue. Rear vibration at 60 mph+ New U-joints and tires with no difference. 97 Sport 4x4 5-speed. Gear shift shakes like crazy.

 

[xplorernewb]

not yet. i had to redo a couple ball joints, and that seemed to help some. i have to replace my steering gear before i go any further. lots of play for some reason. wasnt like that when it was inspected. might be where its coming from, but if not, ill do the driveshaft. i also read that sometimes its cured by a different alignment spec, but im not sure where i read that. ill try to find it. i also may just try to find some zerkless ujoints and see if that helps, since the original ones were. or maybe a weight fell out of the tire.. ugh i need more money and a little more time would help

 

[xplorernewb]

well just letting people know, my vibration is almost gone as of now. i was laying under the explorer in the garage today, just thinking.. and i noticed that my exhaust looked different. then i noticed the muffler had come completely off of the hanger, and the rubber thing fell out.. so i looked around in my junk drawer and found one, shoved it in there and put the muffler back in its place and took it for a drive on the freeway. oddly enough, its barely noticeable now.. maybe its just me, but before it was really annoying.. but im wondering if it were because the muffler was hitting the frame, causing it to bump it repeatedly, but felt to me as just a massive vibration.. im going to go ahead and just do the steering gear and alignment. ill bet thats the rest of it.. i hope. been chasing this for a long time as well