Driveshaft Balance

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

If the driveshaft is suspected of being out of balance, use the following procedure.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
2. Clean all foreign material from the driveshaft and universal joints.
3. Inspect the driveshaft for missing balance weights, broken welds and bent areas. If the driveshaft is bent, it MUST be replaced. 
4. Inspect the universal joints for wear and verify they are properly installed.
5. Check the driveshaft bolt torques.
6. Remove the wheels and install the lug nuts to retain the brake rotors.
7. Mark and number the shaft six inches from the pinion yoke end at four positions 90 degrees apart.
8. Run and accelerate the vehicle until the vibration occurs. Note the intensity and speed the vibration occurred. Stop the engine.
9. Install a screw clamp at position (1).

   Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

10. Start the engine and accelerate the vehicle to check vibration. If there is little or no change, move the clamp to the next positions. Repeat the vibration test.
    NOTE:

    If there is no difference in vibration at any of the different clamp positions, the vibration may not be the driveshaft.

11. If the vibration decreases, install a second clamp (1) and repeat the test.

    Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

12. If an additional clamp causes an additional vibration, separate the clamps 1/2 inch (1) above and below the mark. Repeat the vibration test.
13. Increase the distance between the clamp screws (1) (2) and repeat the test until the least amount of vibration is noticed. Bend the slack end of the clamps so the clamp screw will not loosen.
14. If the vibration remains unacceptable, repeat the procedure on the front end of the driveshaft.
15. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.