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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Drive shaft indexing

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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Harmonic Balancer Bad

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Hello all.



Finally have Shaun (the 2001 Dodge Ram) on the road. I replaced the U-joints and centre support bearing (CCB) because there was a bit of vibration at highway speeds. Also the CCB rubber was loose. Upon inspection, the U-Joints were brinneled on the load side of the bearing surface... 135K, and with a 5th wheel, who knows what loads they were put under. Figured it was time to swap them out.



Not the first time with U-joints by a long shot, and I was careful to make sure all the yokes went back together the way they came apart; orientation is the same.



BUT...



At around 70 mph+, there still is a harmonic vibration that gets worse as speed increases...



The splines from the front section do not have a master spline, not to mention getting the damn thing back together again was a real PITA. I am wondering if I have somehow indexed the two shafts incorrectly. Does anyone have any info on this? The Factory manual is pretty lame on info... Thanks... JK
 
if i remember right the yokes on the driveline need to line up with each other. you should be able to remove the drive line put a string from cap to cap and have it stay centered down the length of the drive line. im trying to make this as clear as i can and i know im not doing well im specifically talking about the yokes on the drive line itself not the ones at the trans or diff.



the other thing is did you relieve tension on the yokes? when the driveline was out did and the new joints installed did the u joints turn easily? if they didnt the yokes are binding slightly i always tap both sides of the yoke before install to release the tension off the yokes.
 
Balancing

Is it possible the driveshaft needs balancing?



John L.



Good question.



First off, I checked the index of the U-Joints. I guess that working until 22. 30is not condusive to perfect work, as the rear segment was one spline off. Took it apart and corrected it.



Since this is my only vehicle now, taking it out of service while the shaft is being checked/balanced is not really an option. I will have to ask around and see if I can find a shop to do it while I wait... Sometimes I miss PA, and the driveline shop in Gilbertsville... JK
 
More info...

OK, so the driveshaft is properly indexed. The blue Teflon coating on the spines is in good shape, and everything is greased.



However, although it is hard to determine if the vibration is better or gone, I need to get out on the highway. Somehow it is not possible to get the truck up to 70 mph on the roads around here. :-laf



First- the noise. It sounds similar to the front wheel bearing that was shot. Kind of a 'Whirrrr-whirrr-whirrr-' etc. Imagine Sean Connery saying it after a few martini's, and you will pretty much get what I mean.



Under load, no difference. Clutch in, a bit quieter. Out of gear, perceptually quieter. Now with the 4" Dynomax exhaust, it is a bit difficult to differentiate between the exhaust noise and all of the other stuff going on :D



It seems/sounds/feels like a bad (really bad) U-joint. If it was not for the noise, I would say, 'yep, bent or out of balance driveshaft. '



However, all of the U-joints are new Precision units. Not too keen on greasing the whole joint through one cap, but hey. Centre-support bearing is also new.



When taking off the yoke at the differential, I noticed that the differential had a bit of backlash. Perhaps that could explain the noise, but not the vibration. Also notable, was that the U-joint seemed to bind (not much, but enough to notice) after about 30 degrees from perpendicular (the Joint/driveshaft axis)-i. e. , axis of driveshaft,with the u-joint axis perpendicular. Perhaps the yoke was sprung at one point.



I replaced the components because I noticed the vibration. Inspection of the old U-joints showed wear on the drive/load side of the bearing surface, with only slight brinnelling on the load surface. I have seen u-joints in much worse condition... rubber in the Centre support bearing was toast.



Jeepers, that was a lot. Hopefully there is enough info here to come up with something...
 
More info

Oh,

I forgot to add that the noise is louder when there is a load in the bed. Recently I loaded 6 3x20x10' long beams in the back, and noticed the noise was louder. This was right after I put the truck on the road.



A few days ago, I loaded a bunch of cabinets, under-counter fridge, and sink to deliver them to a jobsite. Again, same result. It seems that with weight in the bed, the noise is louder...
 
Put that truck on 4 jack stands & have a buddy wind her up to say 20 then 30 then 40 & so on. I'd be looking toward the read diff. Grab a broom stick handle & put your ear towards the end & the other by suspected parts. By all means if you take this advice, make sure the only thing ever in front of it is a brick wall. You know what I mean ?!?



Proflow
 
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