Is a Aluminum Driveshaft Noisy???

[Slider]

I wanted to know if all of you that have an alum driveshaft if you noticed any extra driveline noise after installing it.

I have completely rebuilt my rear in the car with 4.10s, Eaton, Megabite Lwr Ctrl arms, and Steeda adj uppers. While I was doing all of this I added a FMS aluminum driveshaft. Now I know I did a lot a once, but I am getting a lot of added transmission noise. I have a feeling it is due to the alum drivesshaft. Just as a note I still need to check the pinion angle, but I set the upper arms to stock length when installing them.

The problem is that when shifting gears I get a noticable clunk type noise in the driveline both when entering and leaving a gear. Also, the rattling noise of the trans when in nuetral is also much more noticable. I am 99% sure the gears are right since I have no whining problems and I checked the spec like 10 times.

Does an aluminum driveshaft AMPLIFY driveline noises?

I will try swapping the stock one back in to see if it makes any difference. Also, did you remove the weight on the axle when you installed your alum driveshaft. I did, and was wondering if I should reinstall it.

Thanks

 

[holler]

try putting the harmonic damper (dogbone) back on and see if that helps. I don't see why a balanced aluminum driveshaft would be causing you problems unless there is something wrong with it.

 

[stallion98gt]

nope..no extra noise with mine

 

[SVTStang03]

I can't see how the driveshaft would make a noise difference. Unless the yokes are bad?? I think its a suspension problem more or less anything else. Check your LCA Bushings...

 

[GinoGT]

Aluminum is a stiffer material pound for pound than steel. Steel absorbs more vibration. Makes sense to me that a little more would get through the aluminum.

 

[01GT eibach]

I didn't notice any...

 

[HoustonGT]

The aluminum driveshaft is actually supposed to reduce vibrations and road noise. Im pretty sure its something else or maybe the U-joint or yokes are bad.

 

[Slider]

Maybe it is a combo of lwr and uppr arms. The all have poly bushings and they just make the noise a lot more noticable. The problem is that I did all that stuff at once, and it is hard to tell what is the cause. The shifting clunk does not sound like it is the rear end. It really sounds like it is coming from the driveshaft area. Like it is amplifing any noise that the tranny is making. Maybe there is something wrong with it. I tested the shaft to see if it had any abnormal play in the joints, but it seemed fine. I am really stumped on this.

I guess I will reinstall the stock shaft and weight and see what happens. I just thought someone might of had this problem before.

 

[PDubs]

The aluminum driveshaft is actually supposed to reduce vibrations and road noise.

Werd. This is what I was told too when I got 4.10s. I had the gears installed with Al driveshaft and no whine/vibe at all.

 

[skrow03GT]

The clunk is probably your gears.

 

[COramprat]

No problems with mine either. Actually seems a little smoother.

 

[BMan5150]

I have a 5-speed and yes, I think there is more driveline noise than before the addition of my FMS alum. ds. I thought the alum ds was only supposed to dampen vibration (it does) and I would expect aluminum to amplify noises, however. It's not crazy-loud, but there is defintely more driveline noise as a result of my FMS Alum. DS.

For those who don't experience increased noise . . . are you an automatic? Looks like several of you who posted and said there was no increased noise were autos.

 

[COramprat]

Mine is a 5-speed...

 

[Slider]

Fixed the problem. The backlash on the gears had worked it way to 0.015". I set it at 0.011", but it must of worn in the extra few thousandsth. 0.015" is a little over the specs so I reset it to 0.008" and every thing is ok now.

Now I just need to get the driveshaft tuned to the pinion. Right now I get some vibes at certain mph's.

 

[jammin7998]

make sure your driveshaft is balanced.

 

[Blucifer99]

Ford racing aluminum driveshafts come balanced. Ive got one on my 92lx 5 speed and ive noticed zero noise or vibes from it. The shifter doesnt wabble or vibe. Also my cars lowered. But ive noticed with the aluminum driveshaft the car takes off alot quicker i guess that would be from less weight to spin while spinning the tires.