Darn Vibration
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: NY
Darn Vibration
I have this vibration in the peddle of my truck, more so when i go to let off the gas, just before i let the peddle up as far as it can go, the vibration will get worse (sometimes). My u-joints have been changed, any idea on what it could be? If im going real slow, say as if im driving up my hill, It seems like once i hit a certain speed or rpm, the truck will really start to shake, i kinda kinda feel the bed shake with it, unless i give it more gas to go faster. Do my driveshaft be all messed up or something? Im clueless.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Mic -
Is your driveshaft balanced? If it once was, the balancing weights may have come off.
When I brought my 56 home, it also had a vibration that got really bad at certin speeds. I didn't have to spend anytime diagnosing the problem, though. The driveshaft fell out on the way home! The driveshaft guy pointed out the problem immediately when I took him what was left of the shaft.
I went to a driveline specialty shop and got a whole new custom driveshaft fairly inexpensively. If your current one is in good shape, just checking it out and rebalancing won't cost very much.
Is your driveshaft balanced? If it once was, the balancing weights may have come off.
When I brought my 56 home, it also had a vibration that got really bad at certin speeds. I didn't have to spend anytime diagnosing the problem, though. The driveshaft fell out on the way home! The driveshaft guy pointed out the problem immediately when I took him what was left of the shaft.
I went to a driveline specialty shop and got a whole new custom driveshaft fairly inexpensively. If your current one is in good shape, just checking it out and rebalancing won't cost very much.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
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From: Northwest Fl
Did you mark the yoke and shaft when you changed the u-joints? If not, I would try taking apart the shaft at the re-placed u-joint and rotate it 180*. That may correct the possible balence problem. You might also want to check and see that all the pins in the u-joint cups are properly positioned, sometimes on or two will fall over and cause problems.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,148
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From: Seneca, SC
you're right about the pins huntsman, and when they do they're a gooey mess to get right again. I pulled my tranny a few months back and in the process dropped one of my pin bearings from one of the u-joints. I almost went nuts looking for it. and had to re-position all the others just right to get it back together.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: NY
im not to great with hands on stuff, im 22 years old and im pretty much getting started with the hands on, the u-joints were changed by somebody else and i would assume they did the job right..The driveshaft is kinda old lookin though, i took a look at it and it looks like it wants to fall out lol, i mean i dont know all that much, it could be working fine, but it looks realllllly old...Any idea on how much a driveshaft would cost? I would like to get a brand new one if the price is right, im tryin to get things new so i can win at shows lol
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City area
If the rearend has been changed your pinion angle may be out of phase with the transmission. This will cause vibration at certain speeds. If you have someone check the driveshaft and u-joints ask them to check the angle also.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,148
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From: Seneca, SC
micginish, one thing you could check is if there are any not-so-old looking places on the driveshaft. If there are any in the shape of a square or rectangle it's a dead givaway that your driveshaft slung some weights (and is therefore out of balance). A cheap new one won't win any shows, a billet one would win shows but not be cheap.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
It sounds like you are talking about a vibration at slow speeds? It's more likely a bad motor mount, even a bad water pump, than driveline.
You haven't told us what year truck this is, what engine, trans, etc. Is it an automatic? Could be the torque converter if so.
You haven't told us what year truck this is, what engine, trans, etc. Is it an automatic? Could be the torque converter if so.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
Originally Posted by Micginish
The driveshaft is kinda old lookin though, i took a look at it and it looks like it wants to fall out lol, i mean i dont know all that much, it could be working fine, but it looks realllllly old...
You likely will need to do it twice - once putting it back exactly as it was, and, if you still have the same vibration, again but this time rotated 180 degrees. If you want you can have your driveshaft balanced, but I doubt that will help.
It is an easy job, well within your abilities. The only danger is the possibility of dropping an end cap off one of the U joints. Just wind some tape around the joint to hold the caps and you will not have any problems. If you should drop a cap it is not the end of the world, just make sure the needle bearings are all there and in the right position when you put it back.
While you are under there, give everything a good shake and tighten anything that wiggles.
The only way to get "hands on" experience is to jump in and get your hands dirty. And don't confuse a parts changer with a mechanic - almost anyone can replace everything in sight, very few can fix something.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 53
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From: NY
i have no idea how to drop my driveshaft, i wouldnt even know where to start..Ive only done things like change my oil and the basic stuff like that...I have a Chiltons guide for my Blazer that i look through every once in awhile but nothing has happened to give me the chance to try anything in there yet...
Some info about my truck..56 F100..351 Cleveland engine...obvious chop..Grand Torino IFS..The tranny is a 3 spd cruiseomatic (automatic)..
Some info about my truck..56 F100..351 Cleveland engine...obvious chop..Grand Torino IFS..The tranny is a 3 spd cruiseomatic (automatic)..
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Micginish -
I have a 56 that is set up almost identically to yours. Before buying it, I hadn't worked on any cars for 30 years. If you have very deep pockets and can find someone qualified to do the work needed on a 50 year-old custom truck, you are in business. You can afford to avoid learning mechanical skills.
If, like me, your funds are more limited, you need to get busy and learn by doing. There is a tremendous amount of experience among the forum members. However, at one point every one of us knew NOTHING about mechanical stuff.
Dropping a driveshaft is certainly a simple place to begin the learning. Take a crayon and mark a line accross one end of the rear universal joint and it's journal. Back out the four bolts that secure the clamshell universal clamps at the differential. Shift the shaft forward (toward the tranny), then drop the aft end down and slide the forward yoke out of the tranny. Voila! Driveshaft out. Carefully remove the universal joint, clock it 180 degrees, then reinstall it and reverse the procedure above.
You're on your way to being a journeyman mechanic.
I have a 56 that is set up almost identically to yours. Before buying it, I hadn't worked on any cars for 30 years. If you have very deep pockets and can find someone qualified to do the work needed on a 50 year-old custom truck, you are in business. You can afford to avoid learning mechanical skills.
If, like me, your funds are more limited, you need to get busy and learn by doing. There is a tremendous amount of experience among the forum members. However, at one point every one of us knew NOTHING about mechanical stuff.
Dropping a driveshaft is certainly a simple place to begin the learning. Take a crayon and mark a line accross one end of the rear universal joint and it's journal. Back out the four bolts that secure the clamshell universal clamps at the differential. Shift the shaft forward (toward the tranny), then drop the aft end down and slide the forward yoke out of the tranny. Voila! Driveshaft out. Carefully remove the universal joint, clock it 180 degrees, then reinstall it and reverse the procedure above.
You're on your way to being a journeyman mechanic.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
I'd take it to a shop, you're likely to waste time and money trying to figure it out here
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,148
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From: Seneca, SC
yeah driveshafts are easy. After an hour of staring I figured out how to get mine out. Randy has it covered. Mark the line on the tranny end, bull four nuts, slide forward, slide aft, and you're done.