Hi, i am chasing some annoying vibration from drive shaft in my 66 Riviera, all universals are checked, new bearing and support. Shaft balanced, but i noticed that front shaft yoke has some play in box tail. I know it can't be 0 play but how much is to much? Peace,
I doubt whether the clearance is your vibration cause, but I would think if you can see it with the driveshaft installed, it is too much. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to pull the driveshaft out, unbolt the extension housing, and replace the worn bushing in there.
Anytime I replaced the tailshaft bushing it never made any difference in vibration. The bushing is more for support for the output shaft of the trans. With the driveshaft out, you can wiggle the output shaft quite a bit, its actually pretty sloppy, the bushing helps keep the output shaft centered. If you have a vibration, its more than likely from the shaft/joints itself and the phasing of the joints.
MANY drive shaft shops when they are checking the shafts for our Rivs. tell us the shafts are OUT OF PHASE. From the factory a '66 is supposed to be 66 1/2 * out of phase. This causes vibrations. So if your shop told you it's out of phase & they supposedly put it back in phase in reality it's OUT OF PHASE.
Thanks a lot guys, looks like i am going to dive deeper into the driveshaft. Maybe it's that crappy Cars center support or maybe rear portion of the shaft which is made from 2 pipes joined with vulcanized rubber? Thanks again,
