Drive shaft balance?

on model T's we static balance the solid shaft. sometimes they are off quite a bit, and its nice to see them spin true
 
As was already mentioned, the small diameter and the fact that is is solid have a lot to do with whether an imbalance will affect it. The whipping of a solid shaft can be a problem so Ford used a damper like most drive systems with long shafting. A larger tubular shaft has no mass on it's center line due to being hollow and many are welded tube so they are very much affected. Whipping is generally not a problem on shorter hollow tube shafts but longer ones need the added stability under large torque loads. A lot depends on diameter and length.
 
I had one in the balancer once. I did not have a lathe long enough at the time to check it between centers for straight so I laid it in the balancer and rolled it by hand with an indicator on it. It was bent. I straightened it and then spun it just for kicks to see if it was out of balance any. It wasn't.
 
quik said:
Why do you think you need to balance the driveshaft?
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Not really a matter of needing too, it's more if anyone has looked into it. It is a long shaft that turns hundreds of rpm Im sure they're not perfect.

Pete what was the method you used to straighten the shaft?

I had it in a lathe yesterday just to touch up where the center bearing runs and did notice a bit of a wobble on the uni end, shaft was held in the chuck roughly in the middle.
 
If you are good you might straighten it yourself with two knife edged vee stands and a torch. other wise take it to a machine shop with a long lathe.

Bruce
 
Dial indicate half then turn it around and do the other end. As long as it runs true in the chuck and the tail center runs true, you should be able to check it ok.

I used heat to straighten it. Heat it on the high side and cool quick with a wet rag or if the lathe has coolant use that. DO NOT heat it enough to turn it color. It will usually take several times to get it straight. Be sure to dial it over the whole length.
 
Talkwrench said:
Not really a matter of needing too, it's more if anyone has looked into it. It is a long shaft that turns hundreds of rpm Im sure they're not perfect.
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Just curious, usually this comes from chasing a vibration. Looks like your trying to eliminate the potential for a vibration.
 
quik said:
Just curious, usually this comes from chasing a vibration. Looks like your trying to eliminate the potential for a vibration.
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Yes just double checking any possibilities.
I did go past a drive shaft balancing place yesterday just to get an opinion. He quite simply said I wont piss in your pocket nothing that can be done that would be worth it.. So thats the end of that..:p
 
Talkwrench said:
Yes just double checking any possibilities.
I did go past a drive shaft balancing place yesterday just to get an opinion. He quite simply said I wont piss in your pocket nothing that can be done that would be worth it.. So thats the end of that..:p
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At least he didn't take the job and steal your money.

Good luck!
 
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