speed. A vibration within a specific speed is not usu-
ally caused by a out of balanced propeller shaft.
Worn universal joints or an incorrect propeller shaft
angle, usually cause such a vibration.

DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE

3 - 1

DRIVELINE VIBRATION

Drive Condition

Possible Cause

Correction

Propeller Shaft Noise

1) Undercoating or other foreign
material on shaft.

1) Clean exterior of shaft and wash
with solvent.

2) Loose U-joint clamp screws.

2) Install new clamps and screws
and tighten to proper torque.

3) Loose or bent U-joint yoke or
excessive runout.

3) Install new yoke.

4) Incorrect driveline angularity.

4) Measure and correct driveline
angles.

5) Rear spring center bolt not in
seat.

5) Loosen spring u-bolts and seat
center bolt.

6) Worn U-joint bearings.

6) Install new U-joint.

7) Propeller shaft damaged or out
of balance.

7) Installl new propeller shaft.

8) Broken rear spring.

8) Install new rear spring.

9) Excessive runout or unbalanced
condition.

9) Re-index propeller shaft, test,
and evaluate.

10) Excessive drive pinion gear
shaft runout.

10) Re-index propeller shaft and
evaluate.

11) Excessive axle yoke deflection.

11) Inspect and replace yoke if
necessary.

12) Excessive transfer case
runout.

12) Inspect and repair as neces-
sary.

Universal Joint Noise

1) Loose U-joint clamp screws.

1) Install new clamps and screws
and tighten to proper torque.

2) Lack of lubrication.

2) Replace as U-joints as neces-
sary.

PROPELLER SHAFT BALANCE

NOTE: Removing and indexing the propeller shaft
180° relative to the yoke may eliminate some vibra-
tions.

If propeller shaft is suspected of being out of bal-

ance, verify with the following procedure:

(1) Place vehicle in netrual.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle by the axles as

level as possible.

(3) Clean all foreign material from propeller shaft

and universal joints.

(4) Inspect propeller shaft for missing balance

weights, broken welds, and bent areas.

NOTE: If propeller shaft is bent, it must be replaced.

(5) Inspect universal joints for wear, properly

installed and correct alignment with the shaft.

(6) Check universal joint clamp screws torque.
(7) Remove wheels and tires. Install wheel lug

nuts to retain the brake drums/rotors.

(8) Mark and number propeller shaft six inches

from the pinion yoke end at four positions 90° apart.

(9) Run and accelerate the vehicle until vibration

occurs. Note intensity and speed the vibration
occurred. Stop the engine.

(10) Install a screw clamp at position 1 (Fig. 1).

3 - 2

PROPELLER SHAFT

(11) Start engine and re-check for vibration. If lit-

tle or no change in vibration is evident, move clamp
to the next positions and repeat vibration test.

NOTE: If there is no difference in vibration at the
other positions, the vibration may not be propeller
shaft.

(12) If vibration decreased, install a second clamp

(Fig. 2) and repeat vibration test.

(13) If additional clamp causes additional vibra-

tion, separate clamps 1/2 inch above and below the
mark. Repeat the vibration test (Fig. 3).

(14) Increase distance between clamps and repeat

test until vibration is at the lowest level. Bend the
slack end of the clamps so the screws will not loosen.

(15) If vibration remains unacceptable, preform

the procedure to the front end of the propeller shaft.

(16) Install the wheel and tires. Lower the vehicle.

PROPELLER SHAFT RUNOUT

(1) Clean the propeller shaft surface where the

dial indicator will contact the shaft.

(2) The dial indicator must be installed perpendic-

ular to the shaft surface.

(3) Measure runout at the center and ends of the

shaft away from weld areas, to ensure weld process
will not effect the measurements.

(4) Refer to Runout Specifications chart.
(5) If propeller shaft is out of specification, remove

propeller shaft and index the shaft 180°. Install the
propeller shaft and measure shaft runout again.

(6) If propeller shaft is now within specifications,

mark shaft and yokes for proper orientation.

(7) If propeller shaft runout is not within specifica-

tions, check runout of the transmission and axle.
Correct as necessary and repeat propeller shaft
runout measurement.

(8) Replace propeller shaft if the runout still

exceeds the limits.

Fig. 1 Clamp Screw At Position 1

1 - CLAMP
2 - SCREWDRIVER

Fig. 2 Two Clamp Screws At The Same Position

Fig. 3 Clamp Screws Separated

1 -

⁄

INCH

PROPELLER SHAFT

3 - 3

RUNOUT SPECIFICATIONS

Front of Shaft

0.020 in. (0.50 mm)

Center of Shaft

0.025 in. (0.63 mm)

Rear of Shaft

0.020 in. (0.50 mm)

note:
Measure front/rear runout approximately 76 mm (3
in.) from the weld seam at each end of the shaft
tube for tube lengths over 30 inches. For tube
lengths under 30 inches, the maximum allowed
runout is 0.50 mm (0.020 in.) for the full length of
the tube.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

PROPELLER SHAFT ANGLE

This procedure applies the front and rear propeller

shafts.

(1) Place vehicle in netural.
(2) Raise and support vehicle at the axles as level

as possible.

(3) Remove universal joint snap rings if equipped,

so Inclinometer 7663 base sits flat.

(4) Rotate shaft until transmission case output

yoke bearing is facing downward.

NOTE: Always make measurements from front to
rear and from the same side of the vehicle.

(5) Place Inclinometer 7663 on yoke bearing (A)

parallel to the shaft. Center bubble in sight glass and
record measurement.

This measurement will give you the transmis-

sion yoke Output Angle (A).

(6) Rotate propeller shaft 90 degrees and place

inclinometer on yoke bearing parallel to the shaft.
Center bubble in sight glass and record measure-
ment. This measurement can also be taken at the
rear end of the shaft.

This measurement will give you the Propeller

Shaft Angle (C).

(7) Rotate propeller shaft 90 degrees and place

inclinometer on companion flange yoke bearing par-
allel to the shaft. Center bubble in sight glass and
record measurement.

This measurement will give you the Pinion

Flange Input Angle (B).

(8) Subtract smaller figure from larger (C minus

obtain

Transmission

Output

Operating

Angle.

(9) Subtract smaller figure from larger (C minus

B) to obtain axle Input Operating Angle.

Refer to rules and example in (Fig. 4) for addi-

tional information.

RULES

• Good cancellation of U-joint operating angles

should be within 1degree.

• Operating angles should be less than 3 degrees.

• At least 1/2 of one degree continuous operating

(propeller shaft) angle.

3 - 4

PROPELLER SHAFT

Content .. 175 176 177 178 ..