Rear Driveshaft Headaches

[EDankievitch]

So I think I finally found the vibration that my truck has been plagued with at speeds above 70 mph. It had been driving me nuts. Truck would shake then after hitting a bump the shake would diminish. Turns out my U joints were bad. Even though they felt good, a bit stiff but good. One set the cup had some rust the other looked like the roller needles were set in plastic not grease. They wouldn’t roll just slide. Looking closely I found the rollers had flat spots and some scoring on the cross shafts.
A nice new set of Dana ( Spicer) U joints and bad vibes all but gone.
I had to use the smoke wrench to get the old ones to press out. No injected plastic on these but I was bending the yoke some heat and they slid right out. Only issue was I destroyed the harmonic balancer on the transfer case end yoke. Outer ring slipped off the rubber. Didn’t think I got it that hot.. I’m trying to locate that yoke but it’s looking like a dealer only part... Any down side to not replacing it?

 

[nukegm]

comrade - good luck on the repair. my .02 cents is take the drive shaft to a driveline place and have it balanced. that is worth every penny, in my humble opinion. cheers sir!

 

[EDankievitch]

I would like to but I haven’t found many shops down here in Southern Jersey.

 

[Rob S]

Good work! Best way to check u joints is just as you did, drop the shaft and inspect. I agree on the balance as well if you can find a local drive line shop

 

[Ozymandias]

Take it to a shop, with a new harmonic balancer yoke it MUST be balanced - no way around this.
Maybe @Wayne M. has an idea in the area.

 

[Wayne M.]

Haha thanks Ozy!
ED, there HAS to be a driveline shop in south jersey/ Philly, but if you really need one, this is who I have used.
https://brooklinemachine.com/driveline-department/

 

[JR]

ED, last I knew Spicer joints are not the correct size for our AAM driveshaft. Spicer 1480 are something like .010 larger than a true AAM 1485 joint. The Spicer will fit but it will be tight - too tight to expect any longevity.

Anytime I do a universal I cut the joint out with a grinder and a deli wheel so I can press out one cup at a time. Takes the stress off the ears of the driveshaft.

Also there is a slip yoke available without the damper. They can be problematic on their own.
I think Torque King sells them, I'll see if I can find.

 

[JR]

According to torque king they are no longer available. Have you tried a dealership?

Read down through the notes. This is a factory AAM component....
Also it says up to 2012 but my 14 does not have the damper so maybe it really is something they went away from?

https://torqueking.com/product/5044...1485-series-slip-yoke-w-o-vibration-dampener/

And it looks like the same info on the universal joints. Read the tech notes at bottom of page.

https://torqueking.com/product/4076...iversal-joint-for-gm-and-2003-2013-ram/#note3

 

[Ozymandias]

In the end it's probably cheaper to just buy a new shaft at that point where you are now.

 

[EDankievitch]

Had No issues with installing the Spicer U joints. They fit just fine. Not tight. The truck is back together I need it to haul a few boats this weekend. I’m just concerned about long term issues by running it without that harmonic balancer thing on the transfer case end slip yoke. They put it in there for some reason.

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m just concerned about long term issues by running it without that harmonic balancer thing on the transfer case end slip yoke. They put it in there for some reason.

I believe it’s a NVH thing- like seeing a weight hanging off a trans mount or exhaust system. However, I’m with Ozy thinking that it is part of the balanced package.
Let us know how it is up through the gears. It’s possible that it may be just fine.

 

[JR]

As stated the Dana joint will fit in the AAM shaft,
particularly the low end Value Line series that aren't made to exact factory Dana specs let alone AAM that you need. They will work, just won't last as long as the OE AAM joints. Look at the measurements on a Dana yoke and an AAM yoke and compare a 1480 to a 1485. They are different.

[QUOTE="EDankievitch, post: 2653761, member: 992698" They put it in there for some reason.[/QUOTE]


Whatever the reason they decided not to continue it's use in 2014. Mine does not have one. I think this is why you can't find a replacement. Let us know how you fare!

.

 

[EDankievitch]

Interesting it not used on the 2014’s... I found the part on MOPAR parts online but I’m not 100% sure it’s the right one as the earlier trucks used a smaller U joint.
Mopar (68238005AA)

 

[EDankievitch]

So a trip down to the local dealer the Slip Yoke is still available Correct Part number Is 68206262AA they want $298. Shopping around I found it for $178 on Summit racing.
Still not sure why they chose to have a dampener on the yoke the truck feels vibration free...

 

[JR]

That part # is without the damper?

 

[EDankievitch]

RAM said it includes the damper.

 

[Ozymandias]

In the end with labour, parts and balancing you pay more then for a brand new shaft.
They go over the counter for 300-400$ OEM and belowe in Aftermarket.

 

[HPSimpson]

RAM said it includes the damper.

When you buying that Ford?

 

[EDankievitch]

When you buying that Ford?

Had I not dumped almost $5k into this RAM over the last year... I’d have already bought the Ford. 5k would have been a nice down payment.
I’m stuck in the RAM for a few more years....

 

[EDankievitch]

In the end with labour, parts and balancing you pay more then for a brand new shaft.
They go over the counter for 300-400$ OEM and belowe in Aftermarket.

You are right. What started out a simple U joint replacement has gone way overboard.... Well in for a penny in for a pound.