How can you tell....

[Motorhead350]

.....if a driveshaft is bad? I know how to tell if a U-Joint is bad, but not by looking at it. Is there a way to tell by the drive shaft or will I have similar problems as if I had a bad U-Joint? Thanks

[MM2004]

.....if a driveshaft is bad? I know how to tell if a U-Joint is bad, but not by looking at it. Is there a way to tell by the drive shaft or will I have similar problems as if I had a bad U-Joint? Thanks

Providing the driveshaft was built/assembled/welded properly, there isn't much to go bad minus the u-joints wearing over time.

Now, if you are in a habit of getting airborne, jumping curbs, drainage ditches, or running off the road for kicks,..

[KillJoy]

You could always have a shop high speed balance the driveshaft.

KillJoy

[Breadfan]

Yep only way I know is to have it balance tested. Generally with driveshafts the u-joints are the area of concern.

Unsure if a driveshaft will wear overtime...if the panther shafts "wobble" at higher speeds as they are said to, it could possibly fatigue the aluminum overtime and cause an out-of-balance condition.

Again aside from visible damage, cracks, etc, the only thing to check is balance.

[Motorhead350]

Naa this is on concern for the truck. I thought most driveshaft ware and tare was universal.

[O's Fan Rich]

I'll agree with you there, most wear and tear happens at the joints. Some of them need to be lubricated, too.

[CRUZTAKER]

Back in the day, failing U-joints would tend to "clunk" when the car is shifted in/out of gear.

I am not sure if this applies to us...as the only way to shift into gear without holding the brake is to shift in and out of neutral.

[Motorhead350]

Well I know when a U-Joint is about to go out... like when you shift from reverse to drive and hear a dry sounding snap as it goes into gear. I fixed that and lubed it myself. Now when I slow down I hear a rythem like the driveshaft. I was told it needed to be replaced before, but I just don't know how you determine that. I wanted to go to a junkyard and buy a used one for 10 bucks, but I don't know how to determine if it's any good.

[Drock96Marquis]

Back in the day, failing U-joints would tend to "clunk" when the car is shifted in/out of gear.

I am not sure if this applies to us...as the only way to shift into gear without holding the brake is to shift in and out of neutral.

The u-joints of today still do this. Take a ride in a 100k+ CVPI and shift it from park to reverse, you'll probably hear a clunk :P

THe panthers use a sealed u-joint, it is actually a more reliable stronger piece than a 'heavy-duty' greasable eftermarket one. Many fleet mechincs will put an OEM u-joint back in as replacement, as they ar emuch mroe dependable and long lasting. :)


Get your driveshaft balanced, they will tell you right away if it is outta whack. You aren't confusing the feeling with a rear end (like a worn pinion bearing allowing d/s to move up and down) or tires are you?

[Motorhead350]

I certainly hope not. I'll have it checked out next week. Also I don't know how I managed this, but I think I warped my brake rotors again. Second time in 3 months... they were cut before, but now it's like almost worse. Again I don't know how it happened so fast. :rolleyes:

[Drock96Marquis]

I don't come around here as often as the other panther forum(s), but from what I have read you don't seem to have the best of luck :P

[Motorhead350]

haha all my stuff breaks, I get hated, misunderstood and life goes on. I just fix and move on. There is NO totaled in my life. :D

[fastblackmerc]

but from what I have read you don't seem to have the best of luck :P
Now that's an understatement.....

[shakes_26]

Top ten ways to tell if your driveshaft is bad

1. Stays out all nite
2. Steals money from you
3. Leaves toilet seat up at nite
4. Borrows car without permission
5. Drinks last beer in fridge
6. Never buys more beer (see 5)
7. Hangs around with the 'fast' crowd
8. Milk, drinks it from the carton
9. Throws massive parties at your house when your gone, and doesn't clean up
and
10. Gets your teenage daughter knocked up

[ctrlraven]

:laugh:

Top ten ways to tell if your driveshaft is bad

1. Stays out all nite
2. Steals money from you
3. Leaves toilet seat up at nite
4. Borrows car without permission
5. Drinks last beer in fridge
6. Never buys more beer (see 5)
7. Hangs around with the 'fast' crowd
8. Milk, drinks it from the carton
9. Throws massive parties at your house when your gone, and doesn't clean up
and
10. Gets your teenage daughter knocked up
:lol:

[SergntMac]

Where do I find a "bad" drive shaft? Sounds like a lot of fun!

[the_pack_rat]

I was told by the cousin of my neighbors wifes brothers' 3rd uncles' daugther-in-law aunts' half adopted lesbian sisters' husbands' mistress's dentist who knows a guy that delivered a large mushroom pizza with extra cheese & a side of breadsticks to a driveshaft shop once ......

And he said .....

If you take a dot matrix driveshaft & connect all the dots on the shaft with a thin bead of seed from a purebred sewer rat from any one of the (5) boros of NYC ......

You will have a driveshaft that will handle 1150 front wheel horsepower.

The downside is ...

I hear the seed can be very difficult to get ..... & connecting all the dots can be quite labor inten$ive.

[SergntMac]

haha all my stuff breaks, I get hated, misunderstood and life goes on. I just fix and move on. There is NO totaled in my life. :DActually, this is a rather upbeat (excuse that pun) disposition. You have your fun, and stuff will break. I've broken stuff too, it's the cost of enjoyment. At least you don't cry about it.

I'd rather be 60 years old and busted up, than 70 years old and dried out. Just leave me enough energy to laugh at myself for the good times I didn't avoid.

[Motorhead350]

Yup you couldn't have said it better Mac