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How many have had their driveshafts balanced?

GTUnit

Active member
123
153
43
Location
CA
I recommend getting the driveshafts balanced. Yes, it's going to cost at least a few hundred dollars if they find nothing, and almost everyone reports that they do find issues and the total bill is like $750-1000. The gamble is that while it seems like most driveshafts need significant repairs, only maybe 5% of people have issues... however, the "issues" they have (including myself) are extreme: broken alternators, broken starters, cracked water pumps, and finally broken engine blocks and transmissions. That stuff is expensive to fix, can be difficult to get parts for, and is very time consuming to repair. So if you don't get them balanced, like me, you may end up spending $10,000 and a month's worth of nights and weekends to replace a whole engine, also like me.

Don't take the shortcut. Get them balanced.
Is there a way to test/feel/ monkey diagnose a vibration or shaft that may be out of balance without pulling it out?
 

Reworked LMTV

Expedition Campers Limited, LLC
Supporting Vendor
1,507
1,175
113
Location
TN
Is there a way to test/feel/ monkey diagnose a vibration or shaft that may be out of balance without pulling it out?
Yes, you can grab / push / pull, but this is of limited value. Don't gamble, git'r done.

Here is a little tip that saved me money. Go to a locally owned shop. Tell them it is not for commercial use, you'll be using in parades, camping, etc. I paid around $250 in Nashville for all three shafts to be balanced.
 

INFChief

Well-known member
722
1,348
93
Location
New York
I’ve had one done thus far but will get the other 2 done. 2 of my driveshafts show signs of ‘injury’ which made me suspect of them. It also may be why I have a ‘limp’ when driving. I’ve been buying u-joints and need one more for the final (front) driveshaft. I did the intermediate axle 1st and the u-joint caps were stuck inside the yoke plus the grease zirks were broken off both. I figured I might as change them out when it got balanced.

Sometimes those caps slide right out & other times they’re rusted fast. The caps should not, literally, FALL out. If they do then be sure to measure the yoke bore.

I used crocus cloth to clean up the rust in the cap bores on the one yoke. The new caps went in but it wasn’t a ‘one finger’ install indicating a wallowed out bore.
 

INFChief

Well-known member
722
1,348
93
Location
New York
Just got the last 2 done. All new u-joints. The splines on the one was so bad it couldn’t be balanced.

With a price tag of just under $900 I need to sell a kidney. Blood type A+, non-smoker, non-drinker (well I did guzzle from age 17 until 43). You pay shipping.
 

gslader

Well-known member
106
288
63
Location
California
Have a 2003 M1078A1 with ~9,500 miles. Pulled both my drivelines to get balanced. Both splined drives had so much play that they couldn't balance them and had to replace both splined drives. Also two of the four u-joints were shot as well.

Work done was:
- Two new splined drives
- Both shafts balanced
- Four new u-joints

Out the door for ~$1,600 - work was done in Reno, NV.
 

INFChief

Well-known member
722
1,348
93
Location
New York
Have a 2003 M1078A1 with ~9,500 miles. Pulled both my drivelines to get balanced. Both splined drives had so much play that they couldn't balance them and had to replace both splined drives. Also two of the four u-joints were shot as well.

Work done was:
- Two new splined drives
- Both shafts balanced
- Four new u-joints

Out the door for ~$1,600 - work was done in Reno, NV.
I feel your pain!
 
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