Balancing the Propeller shaft problems

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To check the dynamic balance of the propeller shaft, lift the rear axle so that the tires just clear the ground and then support the axle. With a piece of chalk, mark the front and rear end of the propeller shaft tube. Attach and position a wheel balancer pickup to the propeller shaft once at the transmission and then at the carrier and as close as possible to the universal joint. Start the engine, shift the transmission into high gear, and measure the balance condition of the propeller shaft. If the unbalanced point and weight are determined, clamp the required weight to the tube, use a radiator hose clamp, and recheck the balance condition of the propeller shaft.

Read more — 4 Common Types of Propeller Shaft Problems and Their Solutions

If you do not have wheel balancing equipment, you can check and dynamically balance the propeller shaft by the following method: with a hose clamp, clamp a weight (near the spline shaft) to the propeller shaft tube. Use (0.028 kg) weight for a large propeller shaft, or 0.014 kg weight for a small propeller shaft. With the tires off the ground, start the engine, place the transmission in high gear, and note the vibration of the propeller shaft. If the vibration has increased, “the added weight is in the wrong position, or too much weight was added.

Stop the engine and reposition or reduce the weight. These steps have to be repeated (by the trial and error method), that is, by repositioning the weight around the shaft until the least vibration is apparent. When the dynamic balance is achieved, weld the weight to the tube, but keep the weld to a minimum, otherwise it could cause an unbalanced condition.

You may be able to reduce propeller shaft vibration by disassembling the drive line and rotating one end of the shaft 180° from its phase position. Then reinstall the drive line and·test-drive the vehicle. If the vibration has not disappeared, return the propeller shaft to its original phase position and make a dynamic balance of the propeller shaft.