Drive shaft noise

[ralphcap]

Rubber on pillow block split on my 1981 2000. As a result, I removed the drive shaft after buying a new pillow block, flexible coupling and u-joints. A shop specializing in drive shafts replaced the center support (pillow block) and the u-joints. I replaced the flexible coupling and then reinstalled the drive shaft. The drive shafts still seems to be striking the hand brake (if ever so slightly) resulting in an irritating noise.

I seem to have everything reinstalled properly. Any suggestions on what steps to take to elinimate this noise? The pikkow block bracket doesn't look adjustable.

[manoa matt]

The drive shaft is a balanced assembly. If you look at it closely you will see tiny metal weights spot welded to the drive shaft, similar to how you balance a tire. The short front section and the long rear section should be marked on the yokes prior to removing that universal joint so they will be in the same relative positions when reinstalled.

Since the shop did it, and they specialize in drive shafts, you may want to take it back and see if they assembled it in the right order, they should be able to tell if it is balanced or not.

[ralphcap]

Wow sounds like I'm in deep dodo! Before I brought the drive shaft to the drive shaft shop I was able separate the front shaft from the rear shaft. Being a neophyte, I did not realize that the shaft was balanced and so I did not look for or notice any marks. Sounds like I have to remove the drive shaft again (what fun). But then, what do I do? Were are the marks; on the inner or outer yokes?

[racydave]

Do you feel any unusual vibrations while driving? Maybe you can add spacers to the e-brake to gain some extra clearance?

[ralphcap]

No unusual vibrations but it seems like adding spacers would bring the e-brake bracket closer to the drive shaft. I'll have to get back under the spider tomorrow and take a look. Need to identify precisely where the shaft is hitting. However, if the drive shaft is not balanced as it should be, I guess that would eventually cause other problems.

[So Cal Mark]

if you're checking this with the car raised and the rear axle hanging, it's normal. Once the car is on the ground the rear axle raises up and the shaft clears.

[ralphcap]

To remove the drive shaft I used a floor jack to raise the front end of the car by a bracket near the transmission/flex donut then placed two jack stands under the frame near each wheel. In the back I placed the floor jack under the differential to raise the rear and placed two jack stands on the axle. Will this enable me to check the drive shaft as if the car was on the ground?

[So Cal Mark]

in my experience it's not quite the same as having the load on the tires sitting on the ground

[ralphcap]

Ok, I inserted two sets of spacers (two flat washers and a rubber washer) between the bottom of the pillow block frame and the top of the pillow block bracket which raised the pillow block a little up the the drive shaft tunnel. I just took it for a spin and the noise seems to have been eliminated. The engine is running great but I must admit that it seems there is some vibration coming from the drive shaft. What method is used to check for drive shaft vibration. I would like to live to see my grandsons tomorrow. Help, it's the peak of driving season down here y'all.