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Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:41 pm
by landy
Thoughts? Was it a worthwhile investment? Any noticeable reduction in vibration? Cost? Can a reputable drivetrain shop do it?

Thanks!

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:50 am
by undysworld
If your truck is out of balance, fixing it is a noticeable change for the better.

To test if your truck is out of balance, get up to top speed(-ish) on a straight road, and pull down the first locker to engage the front end. When down, there will be noticeable difference in driveline vibration. Releasing the lock lever will bring the noise back.

I inquired of a local drive line specialist, but they thought they'd need special adaptors to spin the shaft. The only shop I have heard about that did this work was near Dennis Williams' shop, Linden Engineering, in Littleton, CO. You might want to contact him for further info and/or cost.

Maybe others here have additional sources.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:46 am
by stiffler4444
I am going to look into this as well. When I throw down my 4x4 locker, I lose all vibration, but under regular circumstances, anything over 80km's and I have a very loud vibration.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:57 am
by undysworld
Stiffler4444,

Very typical symptoms. The 710s seem more prone to it than 712s, due I assume to the longer internal drive shaft. I can't imagine it's good for the truck, but then I've never heard of actual damage related to the shaft being unbalanced.

I've experienced one that was so bad it was pretty unpleasant to even drive at that speed. Some guys just live with it.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 11:13 am
by krick3tt
I am one of the 'just live with it' people. On longer trips (+500 mi) the drumming is sort of hypnotic. It rises and
falls like the ocean waves.
Anything that is loose, especially on the center dog house like change, sort of drives me loco. Have to find that thing and move it.

I have often thought of having the balancing done but, the down time and cost, including finding someone that can do it has been
the issue for me. If I had other front issues I would have it taken down and the project done.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:46 pm
by audiocontr
That could be tires as well.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:12 pm
by krick3tt
If you are responding to my post...different tires, same sound and vibration. Ever since I have had the pinz.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:22 pm
by Haf-e
I changed over to a "balanced and lightened" driveshaft and it made a big difference - originally I had Dennis Linden just balance the original shaft and it didn't totally cure the problem - then I did a swap for one with the internal torsion bar removed from Scott at Expedition-Imports and it made a very big difference.

I did have the input bearing on the T-case go out - twice - prior to putting in the lightened driveshaft - I think it is taking a beating with the vibration - But I used to do a lot of road miles in my Pinz.

I think its worth the time and cost to do it - its actually a very easy project to do at home - the complete rear drivetrain (wheels/diff/axles/t-case) can all be left as an assembly and rolled out on the wheels. With two people I think its a 2 to 3 hour job. need a couple of large/tall jackstands and or some cribbing to raise the body high enough. Good time to check the input bearing on the t-case as well.

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:57 am
by stiffler4444
undysworld wrote:Stiffler4444,

Very typical symptoms. The 710s seem more prone to it than 712s, due I assume to the longer internal drive shaft. I can't imagine it's good for the truck, but then I've never heard of actual damage related to the shaft being unbalanced.

I've experienced one that was so bad it was pretty unpleasant to even drive at that speed. Some guys just live with it.
Agreed. I've heard that the 710's are worse. I guess it's more of a "perception" that it is doing damage, but over time, it has to affect something (other than my headache). Will just live with it until I have a reason to tear into it. :|

Re: Driveshaft Balancing

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:43 am
by landy
Any ball park estimates of the cost? Appears that only a few have had it done and it was done by Pinz a specialist?

I may just live with it, too. I rarely go fast enough such that it becomes very noticeable.