Hey guys, I have been having a bad vibration developing. Last winter I installed new spicer u joints and carrier. Was smooth for a decent amount of time. I started noticing a vibration the feels as though it is in the driveline. I know it is not wheels/tires as I swapped between trucks to verify.
I am hoping it isnt my new gears and truetrac.

When I originally did the spicer carrier and u joints, I marked the shafts, then like the add adhd guy I am I decided to paint stuff, yep forgot about the marks....

Couple thingsU joints look okCarrier seems good on shaft, but there is a little play in rubber bushing inside the holder, bushing itself looks fine. I shoved 2 ceder shims(carpenter) above the rubber bushing to hold it tighter, took some vibration away.

I also have bad axle wrap, have ouo bars to put in, but truck is on back burner of life right now.
wondering if the wrap.

Question is. I have no local place to balance the shaft.
Because my 7 week old son is in the hospital and will be for a while
​I dont have much time to mess with it.

The only quick option I can see is to order a new assembly, but Dorman is all that seems available. We all know how much we trust that name.
Anyone have ideas on that shaft assembly?
I also see a cci 5" 1 piece aluminum shaft, but it seems like a long shaft for a single piece.

I like to drive my truck back and forth to the hospital as I can stay awake much better then in my wifes 2019 Honda Odyssey elite (I call it the space ship with its push button shift and loaded tech)

 

This place has a great reputation and I have spoken to them on the phone before with great results. Might want to give them a call and talk about your concerns and options. They are willing to speak to you even if you are not committed to purchase from them.

U-Joint series identification

The OUO bars will solve the axle wrap problem. I have not met or spoken to even one person that was unhappy with them before or after installation.

I learned a lot about U-joints in January and noted a lot of that here...

Do you know your u-joints?

 

I would guess it probably is the driveline if it was a 2-piece that was put back together out of phase. I'm no u-joint expert either but if they are installed with any slop or run out that can cause trouble. Did you use the 5-1410X SPL series like these?

Northern Drivetrain, LLC: Spicer 5-1410X

When the joints on mine went bad there was a definite shudder under throttle that would smooth out under coast. Small amount of play in the center support seems to be normal even after putting a new one on mine. No idea on the Dorman replacement. My first inclination would be stick with the original Spicer parts.

 

Yes I used all original spicer parts.
I am not so much talking about replacing with dorman parts. But replacing with a complete new balanced dorman driveshaft assembly.

At this point just replacing parts does nothing if it isnt balanced

 

Thanks SousI will look into itMaybe the place you linked can build me a drop in shaft assembly and ship it quickly.

 

I'd suggest somebody like Denny's Driveline Service before a Dorman assembly.

 

Thanks, I will have to make some calls.

Time is important, though I may just drive the van more.

I dont wanna waste $600+ when it appears I will loose yet another months income this year (which doesnt mean anything when kiddo is sick)

 

It's most likely your slip yoke. I've read a thread or two from the way back machine where some people having problems with them new from dealer. I've fought vibration on mine for a while now and have decided to replace the rear section all together. Found a donor shaft with 1410 yokes and some low buck slip yoke and stub shaft, so planning to send them off to be cut down, welded and balanced.

Have you tried greasing your slip yoke? It can help for a short while, but it comes back. It always comes back.

 

Not sure it is the slip yoke, it was good and tight. The truck only has 83k miles.

I am assuming the rear section is the same between cclb and eclb? I have a newer rear section on my other truck I could swap and see.

At this point it makes me worry about my trans housing.

It vibrates at speed, and if I let off throttle at 70 (2300rpm) and coast in neutral it still vibrates.

 

Your checking driveline in neutral, wheels chocked? I actually had to jack my rear end up to get any and all load off the shaft before I could find it the first time. It wasn't much but even a 64th of play right in the middle like that is enough to start the man-***** to jiggling.

 

At this point I do not have time, I know the shaft is out of balance, so I am looking to just replace it and be done.

 

Looks like you might be backed into a corner on the Dorman then.

 

You are welcome. A phone call is free and they will not try to sell you anything if you are not ready to buy, but they will talk to you about your issue and options.

Great people in my experience.

 

I think the plan is now to just let the truck sit and run the van, I will have to work hard to stay awake in that smooth sailing thing.
I will make some phone calls about replacements tomorrow.
Just got home from hospital, vibration is starting to be noticable in most driving situations, so I do not believe it is worth running any longer.
If for some rare case I get time, I may take a closer look, but wihout it being in its original alignment(balanced), I dont feel it is worth installing new spicer parts, again, just to have the same issue repeated in a few months.

 

I took a closer look at those Dorman setups and would actually consider that option myself if it became necessary. It appears they use sealed Spicer u-joints also at least on the pictures shown on the one I would need. Some Dorman stuff is crap and some of it is alright. My A/C bypass pulley is Dorman and was less than half the price of the Motorcraft, which appeared to be of no higher quality whatsoever to justify the price. Those drivelines are probably suitable O.E. replacements because of the inherently high liability and safety concerns with parts like that