I'm sure somebody on this board has been involved in driveline fab. I'm sure I have the welding skill to get them welded together good, I'm sure I have the machine equipment skills to get them put together straight. I'm wondering about balancing, I have found a few companies that make driveline balancing machines, quite expensive. I was also wondering if some techniques existed for balancing without dedicated machines. How important is balance for a front driveshaft on a rock crawling truck anyway, It probably doesn't need to be 10,000 rpm computer super wing ding dang perfect, just close enough. I have heard "just spin it in a lathe with washers strapped to it and move them around till it runs smooth" does this work? Can it work well enough for higher speed applications? Who are good suppliers of slip members and yokes? tube? I know a variety of metals are used to make drivelines. What are ordinary steel drivelines made from?
Just seamless tube, or some special alloy?
UPDATE!!!!!
Since I first posted this I purchased a driveshaft for $40 off Ebay it was 2 inches to long. I cut the slip yoke off and cleaned it up with a die grinder. Cut the shaft off nice and square with a bandsaw. Beat it senseless to get it back together. Used v-blocks a dial indicator and a BFdeadblowH to keep everything straight while I tacked and welded. Immediately after reinstallation I turned the hubs in and hit highway speeds with it (confident/stupid?). Any way no vibration. Months later still working great. I recently talked to a machinist that has made dozens of drivelines for big trucks and stock cars. He has special yokes for aligning shafts in his lathe. He says buy quality tube, yokes and keep everything straight within a few thousandths and in phase and there is very little need for balancing. I'm sure that extreme angles, super high RPM and lightweight shafts make balancing more important though. My local driveline shop wanted $400 to make me a new shaft. I'm glad my skills and info obtained from this message board allowed me to get the job done for 10% of that price
Just seamless tube, or some special alloy?
UPDATE!!!!!
Since I first posted this I purchased a driveshaft for $40 off Ebay it was 2 inches to long. I cut the slip yoke off and cleaned it up with a die grinder. Cut the shaft off nice and square with a bandsaw. Beat it senseless to get it back together. Used v-blocks a dial indicator and a BFdeadblowH to keep everything straight while I tacked and welded. Immediately after reinstallation I turned the hubs in and hit highway speeds with it (confident/stupid?). Any way no vibration. Months later still working great. I recently talked to a machinist that has made dozens of drivelines for big trucks and stock cars. He has special yokes for aligning shafts in his lathe. He says buy quality tube, yokes and keep everything straight within a few thousandths and in phase and there is very little need for balancing. I'm sure that extreme angles, super high RPM and lightweight shafts make balancing more important though. My local driveline shop wanted $400 to make me a new shaft. I'm glad my skills and info obtained from this message board allowed me to get the job done for 10% of that price
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