I thought I would post my experience with my drive shaft.
My truck is an '04 one ton dually, with 187,000 miles. I bought the truck with 112,000 mi. The truck always had some what of a shudder from take off to about 15 - 20 mph. I never gave it much thought.
About a year ago, at about 150,000 mi., The u-joints in the drive shaft started knocking and rattling. No big deal, I had them changed at the local mechanic shop.
Just recently, it started having a bad shudder/vibration at all speeds. I crawled underneath the truck and inspected the u-joints. None of them were lose or worn that I could see. I kept looking and decided the carrier bearing was lose and had some slop. I got the bearing changed at the local shop again. The harsh, solid shudder went away, but there was still a vibration that made a whining noise at 60 mph.
I went online and did some research on drive shafts and decided my shaft might be off balance. I called a shop that specialized in drive shafts and machining, and they advised me that my drive shaft should be balanced. They could do it the same day, for $90, if I had it there by noon.
I didn't waste any time. By this time I was sick of the noise and vibration. I pulled both sections of the drive shaft out and had it there by noon. The two rear u-joints ( the same ones I replaced a year ago) were wore badly, so they replaced those and balanced the shaft.
The difference is amazing. No more shudder form take off. No noise at higher speeds. No vibrations. Drives smoother than it ever did.
For the record, I will never again change u-joints, and not have the shaft balanced.
My experience, for whatever its worth.
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When I do drive shaft ujoints I mark the ujoints so the shaft gets put on the same way. I have personal experience with drive shafts making noise after a ujoint change. All I did was unbolt the ujoint and rotate then reattach.
Steve. the eight is just tach welded on and sometimes get flung off.
The first time the u-joints were changed, about a year ago at the local shop, they marked everthing and put it back together like it was. I don't think that had anything to do with the shaft being off balance. I believe it was off before then, and even before I bought the truck. Why it was off I don't know. Possibly a weight nocked off or something simialar.
I personaly would recomend having a shop change your u-joints that can also balance the shaft, as it only cost me $150. So, for not more than it costs, at least get it checked.
Balance your drive shaft
Drives smoother than it ever did.
