Front driveshaft vibration

[Foo]

I recently bought my Jeep and it has a vibration starting at 40mph. Rebuilt shaft, new ujoints and cardan joint. Still vibrates so I took it and had it balanced. It had a bend and was straightened and balanced and still has the vibration. Any advice on which route to take now? Get new shaft, rebalance old shaft? Or maybe it's not be the shaft? It flies down the highway like a sewing machine at 80mph without shaft installed. tia, Foo.

2006 unlimited rubicon

 

[topfuel83]

My 2006 LJR does this as well. All joints are new and I had the shaft balanced. When I drop the shaft the vibes go away, so it's related to the front shaft. However, I kind of wonder if it's more the odd harmonics that the 4.0, 42RLE and 241 t-case and skid plate create. Maybe the front shaft adds just the right frequency to escalate the harmonics into a vibration.

 

[TurboTJ]

I had vibes from my front driveshaft. I replaced the U-joints and the double cardan and it still vibrated. Then I took it to a driveshaft shop and had it straightened and balanced. That reduced the vibes somewhat. I finally replaced the driveshaft with a new one from Tom Woods. The vibrations are now totally gone.

 

[GATORB8]

I'd check to make sure your angles (pinion and t-case output) are within range for the joints you are using. Any motor mount lifts, t-case drops installed?

 

[Foo]

It is unmodified, completely stock as far as I can tell. no lift or anything like that Thanks for reply.

 

[GATORB8]

It is unmodified, completely stock as far as I can tell. no lift or anything like that Thanks for reply.

Maybe a tcase output or pinion bearing? Any play on either end?

I'd think it'd take a ton to move enough, but bushings on the control arms are in decent shape, right?

 

[Wheeling diver]

I had the same experience as TurboTJ, when I replaced it with a Tom Woods drive shaft vibration was gone.

 

[JMT]

Check for play in the splines. Commonly overlooked

 

[GATORB8]

Just to confirm, the Double Cardon was completely replaced, not just the ujoints? Looks like a bad centering yoke can fool a spin balancer.

 

[Foo]

splines, maybe a couple thou. play. cardan ball also replaced. Talked to Tom Woods driveshafts and am gonna order one. Mine took 1310 joints and rubicons should have 1330, Tom's says it has been switched out, which can be ok but as long as I am going to replace drive shaft just as well get a new yoke on xfer case so it is back the way it should be. We will see how it works out. Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[Vtx531]

I'd check to make sure your angles (pinion and t-case output) are within range for the joints you are using. Any motor mount lifts, t-case drops installed?

Best advice^ Costs nothing, you can get a free angle finder app on your phone. The axle pinion and driveshaft need to be the same angle. Mine is stock but I recently added cam bolts to get it lined up and it made a difference. You're profile pic looks like it might be lifted but hard to tell.

 

[Jeepster09]

My LJ vibrated above 50 [after 4:88 gear upgrade] and I replaced it with one from Tom Woods and ALL VIBES gone.

 

[Foo]

splines, maybe a couple thou. play. cardan ball also replaced. Talked to Tom Woods driveshafts and am gonna order one. Mine took 1310 joints and rubicons should have 1330, Tom's says it has been switched out, which can be ok but as long as I am going to replace drive shaft just as well get a new yoke on xfer case so it is back the way it should be. We will see how it works out. Thanks for all t

I recently bought my Jeep and it has a vibration starting at 40mph. Rebuilt shaft, new ujoints and cardan joint. Still vibrates so I took it and had it balanced. It had a bend and was straightened and balanced and still has the vibration. Any advice on which route to take now? Get new shaft, rebalance old shaft? Or maybe it's not be the shaft? It flies down the highway like a sewing machine at 80mph without shaft installed. tia, Foo.

2006 unlimited rubicon

Update to vibration dilemma!!
Ordered and installed New Tom Woods drive shaft in size it was meant to have (1330 joints). Took it up to 80.....no vibration now. Now, on to the cracked manifold and donut exhaust leaks. Things are lookin' up!! Thanks for the advice guys.
Foo