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Once upon a time I had a 4th gen T/A that had the weak driveshaft issue and would vibrate at speeds in excess of 80 or so MPH. At the time, Lingenfelter Performance offered a drop in Aluminum driveshaft for that car. Not sure what led me there exactly, but I bought it, and much to my surpise upon arrival, I could hear something INSIDE the driveshaft. The only I can figure is it was a sort of internal dynamic balance type deal. I can say that DS was crazy smooth (compared to stock) at up to 140mph. It was night and day different.
Now I have a 3rd gen, and used a LT1 motor, T56 and also the 4th gen driveshaft when I swapped it. I believe I am getting some DS vibration so want to upgrade, but Lingenfelter no longer offers that same driveshaft. I haven't attempted to contact them yet.
Has anyone heard of this internal dynamic balance? I hear of some folks using small amounts of liquid like ATF, but I'd rather not drill a hole in a DS and then attempt to thread and plug or whatever.
There's a place called Balancemasters that offers size specific liquid balance rings that you'd add to the outside of the DS, and I've heard at least some folks use them and have good luck with them. But the issue with the small steel stock DS is that you go over the critical frquency of the assy and then it can vibrate quite badly from my understanding.
So that puts me back at replacing the existing (I do have the stock 3rd gen unit I could try I guess) with something else.
I haven't seen any driveshaft company saying they make them like lingenfelter. BTW, there were also external balance weights on the Lingenfelter shaft. So I assume the internal beads / ***** or whatever was there for fine tuning. Anybody know about such matters or where I could get a shaft like the Lingenfelter? It was a very nice piece. WIshing I would have removed before I sold the fourth gen !!!
Re: Dynamic balance driveshaft?? - Like Lingenfelter
I still have my lingenfelter driveshaft. 3.5" I think. Spicer made them, and the sticker with part number on it is still on it. Mine doesn't rattle or make any noise
Re: Dynamic balance driveshaft?? - Like Lingenfelter
That's quite interesting. I think I would have purchased mine in around 2004 or 2005 timeframe if I had to guess. Is your from about then as well? I don't recall any stickers from Spicer ( A Dana Corp. brand) on the one I had. Hmm.
Re: Dynamic balance driveshaft?? - Like Lingenfelter
Probably still have my invoice but not 100% sure when . I do remember it was when Lingenfelter put them on a closeout sale.
Edit: Here is a picture of some of the decal. Don't mind the undercoating that's half scraped off and covered with trans fluid from a past 700r4 explosion.
Re: Dynamic balance driveshaft?? - Like Lingenfelter
Summit has a 700ft lbs capable alum unit (claiming made in USA too!) for 359. Seemed like lots of guys doing same thing to get rid of the vibrations. So, ships monday. Here we go.
Re: Dynamic balance driveshaft?? - Like Lingenfelter
The driveline balance issue has been brought up numerous times. The angles at which vibrations occur in the third gen are unfortunately easy to achieve with changes in transmission angle, mount height, sunken engine mounts etc. Reverify angles, inspect and service extension housing bushing and yoke, get the torque arm off the extension housing so you *can* use a traditional rubber mount that won't get ripped and will reduce vibe over poly, and at that point, the properly built and balanced shaft will serve you well.
The third gen aluminum shafts are superior to most of the 4th gen shafts. The 4th gen long-yoke w/ balancer shafts were thin-wall, cardboard damped crap which held up to stock power levels, but had problems somewhere above that.
01-01-2021, 10:49 AM
