Alternate In Vehicle Driveshaft Balancing Procedure
Rotunda Dynamic Wheel Balancer (Model 006- 01400) or Equivalent Equipment1. Road Test-Evaluate and record road speed at which vibration occurs.
2. Raise vehicle on a frame contact hoist. Remove the wheels and tires. Reinstall lug nuts to retain brake drums. Re-evaluate by starting the engine, engaging the transmission and accelerating to the indicated speeds at which the vibration was most severe during the road test. Suspending the rear axle makes the driveline more sensitive to vibration.
3. Disconnect the driveshaft from the companion flange. Rotate the driveshaft 180° from its original position and re-install. Repeat evaluation per Step 2 above.
NOTE: In some cases, rotating the driveshaft 180° may decrease the vibration to an acceptable level. However, if the vibration level is increased, install the driveshaft in its original position and proceed to Step 4.
4. A vehicle is more sensitive to excessive imbalance and/or runout at the rearward end of the driveshaft; therefore, locate the heavy side of the driveshaft by the use of the strobe light and transducer, as follows:
Scribe an axial chalk line (at any radial location) approximately 4 inches long at the rear of the driveshaft. Locate the transducer on the bottom side of the carrier, and secure it in place. Run the engine and driveline at the worst vibration speed noted and visually note the position of the chalk line by use of the strobe light. This provides a starting point for the initial location of the clamps.
5. Stop the engine and rotate the driveshaft so that the chalk line is in the same location as it was noted under the strobe light.
6. Install two (stainless steel) hose clamps on the driveshaft. Position the clamp heads 180° from the transducer and tighten the clamps.
7. Run the engine and driveline through the speed range. If no vibration is felt, remove the lug nuts, install the wheels and tires and reinstall the lug nuts in the correct position and proceed to Step 9. However, if any vibration still exists, the combined weight of the two hose clamp heads may be in excess. To reduce this excess weight, rotate the clamp heads away from each other approximately 15° (one each way from the original position). Run the engine and driveline and note if the vibration has been reduced.
CAUTION: Do not run the engine with the transmission engaged on the hoist for extended periods due to the danger of overheating the engine and/or transmission.
8. Continue to rotate the clamp heads apart in smaller angular increments until the vehicle feel of balance (vibration) is best. At this point, install the wheels and tires per Step 7 above and road test the vehicle to determine the actual degree of improvement. If satisfactory improvement has been obtained, proceed with Step 9. If no improvement has been obtained, the clamps must be removed and diagnosis should be re-directed to other areas, such as wheels, tires, driveline angle, and companion flange runout. For additional information refer to Diagnosis and Testing.
9. When the vehicle has been corrected to a satisfactory level, as determined by a road test evaluation, tighten the clamps securely. Clean thoroughly with lacquer thinner, and spray the clamps with a commercially available black paint for a finished appearance.