Balance Master Driveshaft balancer

[BNH4221]

Anyone using this product? Feedback??



I am considering buying a set for my truck. I have had good luck with the Centramatics I bought earlier this year. I am thinking balanced driveshafts would be nice too.



Second question: What is the driveshaft diameter? Are they different front and rear?

The website is pretty poor in my opinion as it does not offer any information on specific fitment for our trucks. No chart or anything to help determine proper sizing. Can't be that hard to do!



Thanks for the assist -



Steve

 

[Joe Mc]

what;'s their web address?

 

[BigPapa]

The fellow in Nashville that's been building drive shafts for years told me the problem isn't balancing but truing. He said if the drive shaft is straight it won't need balancing. He trued mine when he shortened it for my conversion and I haven't had a minutes trouble out of it in over 100K miles!



Scott

 

[BNH4221]

what;'s their web address?

D'oh! Shoulda put it in there.



balancemasters.com



Bigpapa -



Trying to mitigate the notorious 70 MPH vibration. The centramatics helped a lot and I am hoping this will too.



Best -



Steve

 

[MotleyCrueCab]

I would suggest that you take you driveshafts in and have them ballanced at a good shop. Its probally the same price or cheaper, and you know it will be done right and not just a bandaid on a symptom. You might be supprised how much stock shafts can be off ballanced.



Mike

 

[steved]

D'oh! Shoulda put it in there.



balancemasters.com



Bigpapa -



Trying to mitigate the notorious 70 MPH vibration. The centramatics helped a lot and I am hoping this will too.



Best -



Steve

Balancing driveshafts didn't help mine...



If you have time, try pulling the front driveshaft and see if your vibrations go away... if they do (mine did as well), have the front shaft checked by a reputable shop... although they found the slip splines slightly worn on mine, there were no other issues... a new shaft did not cure the vibes.



I also had the rear shaft balanced (it was out), it didn't help either...



The only thing that helped mine was installing lockout hubs... but that's a little pricey...



Some have had luck with having the driveline "aligned"... seems the engine/trans isn't "true" to the rest of the drivetrain and that throws trhe ujoints out of phase... this helps sometimes...



Good luck,



steved

 

[BNH4221]

try pulling the front driveshaft and see if your vibrations go away

Yup, been there, done that. Vibes went away with the shaft out. My opinion is that it is not the shafts themselves but the pinion angle. I had the caster pushed all the way forward and the vibes decreased significantly. So, my thought is that the vibe will always be there and a balancer may help mitigate it.



The vibe is not as bad as some have had, and I can certainly live with it. I thought the shaft balancer was an interesting concept and, based on how my Centramatics have performed, might be worth a shot.

Looks like I may be the guinea pig for it.



Thanks for the responses.





Steve

 

[steved]

Looks like I may be the guinea pig for it.

Steve

It would definately be a awesome find if the balancers would remove the vibration...



Good Luck,



steved

 

[BNH4221]

Ordered today.



DS-2 for the front

DS-3 1/2 for the rear In case anyone is wondering.



Lets see how they work...



Steve

 

[kscheffler]

What did you pay for the shaft BM's. I have balance masters on my wheels and have had no problems and can feel the difference going down the road...

 

[vegasredneck]

After running the centermatics, I cannot see why they would not help decrease even the slightess vibration. Let us know how they work.

 

[BNH4221]

Prices vary. I think it was $65 for one and $75 for the other. Or maybe $75 and $85. Or maybe... .



They list prices on their site. I found the site difficult to use to order so I called them. It's toll free



If you call, measure your shafts first. I tried to ask for ones that fit an 04. 5 Dodge and they don't cross reference. They just said they "don't do it like that". You have to order by shaft size.

I measured 11 1/8 circumference on the rear shaft and 5 3/4 on the front (I think). Fit won't be exact but it should work. There appears to be some leeway in it.

Time will tell. Should be here next week.



Steve

 

[JApol]

Threadus Resurectus



How did they work?

 

[CumminsPower98]

I had some trouble with my rear shaft once after replacing u-joints. I had an odd low speed vibration at about 35. I watched it run and the runout was a little off toward the center joint. This shaft had been to the shop before for a retube and shorten after installing the 6 speed (original had been damaged) but I had run it this way for a long time with no trouble. I took it back to them and they did some trueing up along with another balance and it's been fine since. I have also had a lot of trouble with joint angles after the 6 speed but I finally got that pretty well fixed with a pinion angle change, carrier bearing shimming and rear trany shimming.

 

[BNH4221]

JaPol,



THe long answer is that they are still in my toolbox in the garage.



Upon receipt I discovered that the Balancemasters cannot be installed over the yoke at the ends of the driveshafts. You need to have specialized tools to remove the yokes and install the buggers. So they sit...



My mechanic suggested balancing the front shaft as a first step. Perhaps when I get a few free hours after work some night I will do just that.



Best -



Steve

 

[steved]

JaPol,



THe long answer is that they are still in my toolbox in the garage.



Upon receipt I discovered that the Balancemasters cannot be installed over the yoke at the ends of the driveshafts. You need to have specialized tools to remove the yokes and install the buggers. So they sit...



My mechanic suggested balancing the front shaft as a first step. Perhaps when I get a few free hours after work some night I will do just that.



Best -



Steve

Do you have a vibration your chasing??



If you are chasing a vibration, remove the front driveshaft and drive the truck... see if the vibration goes away. My 04. 5 had one too... balancing the driveshafts (while they weren't well balanced) didn't make the vibrations go away...



steved

 

[MCummings]

I had some trouble with my rear shaft once after replacing u-joints. I had an odd low speed vibration at about 35. I watched it run and the runout was a little off toward the center joint.

I have the exact same problem. . A bouncy vibe at 35. Too bad there isn't anybody within' 175miles that can balance 'shafts. My vibe is pretty bad though. You can hear it, and it shakes the entire truck, mirror's, bed, and all.



Merrick



P. S. 3. 55 gears?

 

[CumminsPower98]

Yes 3. 54 gears. Mine was odd in that I didn't notice it at high speeds. Usually driveline problems don't show up at such low speeds. The driveline shop even said so and when I talked to them about the problem before working on the shaft they said it must be really bad to be able to be felt at such a low speed yet it really wasn't that bad out of balance or out of true. One thing they did tell me was that the OE type non greaseable Spicer joints are tighter (which I already knew and liked), which could cause problems to show up easier. I have much better service from the sealed Spicers then I ever did with the greaseable joints and I hated all the grease being slung all over. Mine vibrated bad enough to easily be felt and it shook my mirrors and other things too.

 

[MCummings]

CP98,



That's exactly like mine. Very strong at 33 - 37MPH, but silky smooth above that. Not a Vibe at 70MPH. Guess I'll have 'em balanced.



Merrick