Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Driveshaft phasing...

Old May 30, 2012 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
DISLFVR's Avatar
DISLFVR
Thread Starter
|
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
Club FTE Silver Member

Lightbulb Driveshaft phasing...

...who would have thought. Been chasing this slight vibration for a few months. Replaced a slightly bad u-joint 2 weeks ago. marked the slip-yoke so as to put it back the same way.(which was wrong) Didn't seem to help. Researching this very subject and found another thread on it and determined mine was off several splines, p.o. put it back wrong. O.M. gosh what a difference it made, took it out after I lined it up proper and run it to 75 mph and it was like cruising in an airplane! Just another thing to look for when looking at used trucks.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 02:34 PM
  #2  
GonzoCSU's Avatar
GonzoCSU
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: New Hampton, IA
I know your pain, I was chasing a vibration last year it can be a real pain to figure out. Glad you found the problem.

I am kind of surprised there is not a wide spline in the slip yoke on these trucks. I know I had one vehicle that did, not sure which one, might have been my '79 F250.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 07:39 PM
  #3  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
It was just off a few splines and not 180 deg out of phase? How did you determine how many splines it was off?
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 07:53 PM
  #4  
Cell's's Avatar
Cell's
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Milton,Ont,Can.
Yeah , I would like to know how you figured out the drive shaft was not lined up properly ??

I have replaced all 3 u-joints , center carrier bearing and still have a vibration . I have tried different shims for the center bearing but it seems to make it worse .

Could you provide a link to where you found your information ??

Next for me is to take the driveshaft in for balancing .
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 07:53 PM
  #5  
Bob Taulbee's Avatar
Bob Taulbee
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
Chris the drive shaft has to be the same on both ends If the splines are off it will throw it our of phase .http://www.drivelinespecialist.com/Tech1.htm
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 08:09 PM
  #6  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Bob Taulbee
Chris the drive shaft has to be the same on both ends If the splines are off it will throw it our of phase .Drive Line Specialist
Right, but if the splines are off by two, how easy is that to notice while laying under the truck? I can see it being 180 deg off if you don't mark it and getting the two piece system out of balance. To be off only a few splines sounds like it was just an eyeball error trying to get it lined back up. I probably would have done the same as Bill and just mark it and put it back together without noticing it being a hair off.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 08:19 PM
  #7  
DISLFVR's Avatar
DISLFVR
Thread Starter
|
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
Club FTE Silver Member

Yes it was easy to see it was off, I just put it back on so the front yoke lined up with the yoke on the slip joint. It was off maybe 30 degrees or so.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #8  
DISLFVR's Avatar
DISLFVR
Thread Starter
|
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
Club FTE Silver Member

Check out this link...the bottom shows how the yokes should line up.


DRIVE LINE PHASING
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 30, 2012 | 08:51 PM
  #9  
Bob Taulbee's Avatar
Bob Taulbee
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
Originally Posted by F350-6
Right, but if the splines are off by two, how easy is that to notice while laying under the truck? I can see it being 180 deg off if you don't mark it and getting the two piece system out of balance. To be off only a few splines sounds like it was just an eyeball error trying to get it lined back up. I probably would have done the same as Bill and just mark it and put it back together without noticing it being a hair off.
All you need to do is rotate the drive shaft so one end is level ( use a torpedo level ) then check the other end the same way.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 09:01 PM
  #10  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Bob Taulbee
All you need to do is rotate the drive shaft so one end is level ( use a torpedo level ) then check the other end the same way.
If you suspect it's off, sure. I was wondering about what if you didn't notice it was a hair off? Why would you think to do that?

Of course Bill has now said it was a good 30 deg off and easily visible, that changes things a little.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 09:31 PM
  #11  
Bob Taulbee's Avatar
Bob Taulbee
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
If it was off 1 spline you could feel it at some speed, usually 55 to 60 mph. You would most likely not look at it unless it vibrating. Being out of phase will cause damage to U-joints.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 09:44 PM
  #12  
JOHN2001's Avatar
JOHN2001
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
Mine was off I don't know how much I didn't have time to mess with it so I had my wife take it to a shop for me and it turned out I stripped the splines in it and had to have it rebuilt. It vibrated since the day I got it and chewed threw ujoints like they were plastic. All fixed now and I'm happy with it
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 08:38 AM
  #13  
huntke's Avatar
huntke
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, Ia
I had been chasing a vibration issue on my 99 for awhile, new carrier all new u-joints didn't fix it. Driveshafts were timed correctly also, had rear driveshaft balanced still no luck......I never thought and they never told me that both shafts have to be balanced together.....took it back and problem solved!
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 09:28 AM
  #14  
Joe_914's Avatar
Joe_914
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
You can tell my eye ball sighting down the 3 U-joints. the back ones are always the same as they are fixed to the rear shaft. but the front one can be seen out even by one spline without any tools.

Yea that was my thread from last week. Glad it worked for you as well.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 09:59 AM
  #15  
DISLFVR's Avatar
DISLFVR
Thread Starter
|
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Joe_914
You can tell my eye ball sighting down the 3 U-joints. the back ones are always the same as they are fixed to the rear shaft. but the front one can be seen out even by one spline without any tools.

Yea that was my thread from last week. Glad it worked for you as well.
Yes that's where I seen it, didn't have time to look back. Rep to you for bringing it it up.
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:11 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE