Driveline vibrations

[SPD TRP]

Just did the 5 speed swap. Came out real nice but I seemed to have picked up a driveline vibration. Ordered a new center carrier bearing from Toyota, but when it came, it wasn't the same part as what came off it. So they are ordering me another one.

The vibration starts coming on at about 60 mph to about 95mph, haven't gone past that, afraid I will mess something up. All the u joints are free with no bad spots or binding.

One thing I did notice and wanted to get y'all's feedback--if you look from the 3rd member forward to the tranny--it doesn't appear that the driveline is in a perfectly straight line--looks like it has a slight bend at the center carrier bearing. Seems odd.

I am able to push the driveshaft up at the bearing, so I know it is worn.

My vibration is on accel and decel and shuts off completely as you decel under 60 mph.
I thought the center carrier bearing symptomatic vibration was on decel only.

Help please.

Wayne

 

[IJ.]

Wayne: The offline thing is normal (well at least mines like that).

 

[SPD TRP]

So yours has a slight bend in it at the center carrier bearing too?

 

[IJ.]

Yep sure does!

Looks to be 1>2 degrees off!

I always assumed it had something to do with when it's loaded it's trying to pull straight.

 

[mrnickleye]

Its designed like that to keep the front shaft closer to parrallel with the body, so there is less strain on the front ujoint by keeping it straighter.

 

[SPD TRP]

Glad to know that is probably not my problem.

Need to find out about center bearing symptoms---on load, off load, coasting, accel, decel and the such.


Thanks
Wayne

 

[mrnickleye]

Whenever you take a driveline out, you are supposed to mark the flanges so you put it back in the same place. If you didn't, you'll be 'out-of-phase'. It means that the factory balanced the shaft(s), and had them in the correct location. If you put it back in 180* off, your balance is out.

Try moving the shaft 180*, then road test. Also, a 'slightly' out of balance shaft will give a 'deep, drone' sound at approx. 60mph. Also, you may 'feel' a vibration in your butt (seat), although out of balance rear tires will do this too.

Since you're gonna have it out, you should have it all balanced at a driveline shop. Here its $65.:biglaugh:

 

[IJ.]

Another way to test the balance is get a big hose clamp that will fit around the shaft tighten it and mark the shaft with either paint or a marker where the clamp is drive it and see if it changes.

Then loosen move the clamp and retighten and remark go for another drive and so on, this will let you see if the shaft needs balancing.

Your symptoms sound like a dead or dying Uni.

 

[Boostedstr8six]

Your symptoms sound like a dead or dying Uni.

I'd say that or the worn center support bearing.