Rear Driveshaft Acting Up

[JMT]

Adams DC
6-speed

Fine till yesterday. Suddenly started fluttering when I give it gas. That’s my word for what it feels like at least. Only under hard acceleration. Barely perceptible when under slow acceleration. No loss in power. Engine sounds great out of gear. Removed front DS and no change. Removed rear and everything back to normal. Especially noticeable in 1st and 2nd under hard acceleration. What’s going on? I admit to not putting grease in the needle zerk. DS probably has 10,000 miles. Came used before me from a forum member. Fine till now.

 

[Mike_H]

What does fluttering mean? Is it vibrating? Making a noise?

 

[JMT]

What does fluttering mean? Is it vibrating? Making a noise?

Especially pronounced in 1st and 2nd, but noticeable in higher gears. The noise is a flutter; blup-blup-blup-blup trailing off as the gear rpm’s get higher. Then shift and same thing but not as bad as you work up through the gears. It kind of sounds like your hitting a mud flap. Only with the rear shaft in. I removed it for now, but can’t go anywhere due to my front auto locker.

 

[Mike_H]

I'd check the centering ball. If you haven't greased it, it's probably shot, but squirt some grease in and see if it changes the noise

 

[JMT]

I'd check the centering ball. If you haven't greased it, it's probably shot, but squirt some grease in and see if it changes the noise

Needle zerk adapter on order. Should be in Monday. Thanks Mike

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I removed it for now, but can’t go anywhere due to my front auto locker.

Can't just coast around corners like people do with auto lockers in the rear?

 

[JMT]

Can't just coast around corners like people do with auto lockers in the rear?

It’s amazing how odd the steering is in 4H w auto locker and no rear shaft on-road

 

[Trevlaw]

I'd just order a new centering ball yoke and be done with it as long as your shaft isn't too finicky with vibrations, never know if replacing the whole yoke could throw the balance at. 10k miles with no grease, and unknown miles and whatever angle it was run at before, it's probably at the end of its life.

Mine usually start showing slight vibes when they're going bad, but sometimes they will get real bad real fast after that.

 

[JMT]

I'd just order a new centering ball yoke and be done with it as long as your shaft isn't too finicky with vibrations, never know if replacing the whole yoke could throw the balance at. 10k miles with no grease, and unknown miles and whatever angle it was run at before, it's probably at the end of its life.

Mine usually start showing slight vibes when they're going bad, but sometimes they will get real bad real fast after that.

No shit. It got bad virtually overnight. I’m going to calm Adams and see why they say if greasing the needle zerk doesn’t help. It’s driveable, but I’m OCD, so I’d like to have it right.

 

[Trevlaw]

No shit. It got bad virtually overnight. I’m going to calm Adams and see why they say if greasing the needle zerk doesn’t help. It’s driveable, but I’m OCD, so I’d like to have it right.

Mine have gotten so bad before that it feels like the shaft is about to shoot through the floorboard. That time I tried to just replace the centering ball with the same yoke like I have before. Usually the centering ball is a PITA to get out as it's pressed to the bottom of a blind hole. That time I got the shaft apart and the centering ball just fell out of the yoke it was so wallowed out lol

 

[JMT]

Mine have gotten so bad before that it feels like the shaft is about to shoot through the floorboard. That time I tried to just replace the centering ball with the same yoke like I have before. Usually the centering ball is a PITA to get out as it's pressed to the bottom of a blind hole. That time I got the shaft apart and the centering ball just fell out of the yoke it was so wallowed out lol

I replaced the front shaft centering ball, which was a PITA since I didn’t buy the Denny’s tool. I ended up buying some PVC and heating and necking it down to tap the new one on. Sucked, but worked. Sounds like I’m at it again. I’ll talk to Adams just to see what they say. I’m sure they know the symptom

 

[TheBoogieman]

Came used before me from a forum member. Fine till now.

Ask for a refund.
p.s. Now you can delete your "Flutter under hard acceleration in 1st and 2nd" thread.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

but I’m OCD

If you were truly OCD you would have replaced the u-joints when you bought the drive shaft used or at the very least greased it which you should have done anyway. Just sayin!

 

[Mike_H]

 

[tworley]

Check the centering pin for damage...

 

[JMT]

If you were truly OCD you would have replaced the u-joints when you bought the drive shaft used or at the very least greased it which you should have done anyway. Just sayin!

What do you get when you cross an OCD person with an ignoramus?












Me

 

[bobthetj03]

Just send the DS back to Adams and have them diagnose. $40 to ship and he'll likely just send you a new one. Ask me how I know this.

 

[JMT]

Just send the DS back to Adams and have them diagnose. $40 to ship and he'll likely just send you a new one. Ask me how I know this.

That’s a great idea. I’ll call on Monday.

I did grease it with a Needle Zerk adapter but no change.