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Is a Aluminum Driveshaft Noisy???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slider
  • Start date Start date Feb 21, 2004

Slider

Founding Member
May 19, 2000
729
1
18
Gainesville, FL
Feb 21, 2004
#1
  • Feb 21, 2004
  • #1
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

Founding Member
Dec 5, 2000
332
0
0
Chicago
Feb 21, 2004
#2
  • Feb 21, 2004
  • #2
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

New Member
May 12, 2003
1,802
0
0
Los Angeles, CA
Feb 22, 2004
#3
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #3
nope..no extra noise with mine
 
S

SVTStang03

Banned
Dec 14, 2003
341
0
0
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Feb 22, 2004
#4
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #4
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...
 
G

GinoGT

Founding Member
Aug 11, 2002
1,862
0
36
Feb 22, 2004
#5
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #5
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

Active Member
Nov 18, 2002
1,075
0
36
Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 22, 2004
#6
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #6
I didn't notice any...
 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding
Apr 6, 2003
1,418
0
0
Houston
Feb 22, 2004
#7
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #7
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

Founding Member
May 19, 2000
729
1
18
Gainesville, FL
Feb 22, 2004
#8
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #8
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

Founding Member
Feb 15, 2002
1,138
0
36
Always farging hot in Texas
Feb 22, 2004
#9
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #9
HoustonGT said:
The aluminum driveshaft is actually supposed to reduce vibrations and road noise.
Click to expand...

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.
 
S

skrow03GT

New Member
Apr 17, 2003
47
0
0
Allen, TX
Feb 22, 2004
#10
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #10
The clunk is probably your gears.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Feb 22, 2004
#11
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #11
No problems with mine either. Actually seems a little smoother.
 

BMan5150

Founding Member
Feb 19, 2002
309
0
16
Columbus, OH
Feb 22, 2004
#12
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #12
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

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Feb 22, 2004
#13
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #13
Mine is a 5-speed...
 

Slider

Founding Member
May 19, 2000
729
1
18
Gainesville, FL
Feb 22, 2004
#14
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #14
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.
 
J

jammin7998

Member
Sep 7, 2003
32
0
6
Bay Area, CA
Feb 22, 2004
#15
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #15
make sure your driveshaft is balanced.
 

Blucifer99

I only understand every 3rd word
Jul 15, 2018
466
31
38
Port Mcnicoll Ontario
Aug 8, 2018
#16
  • Aug 8, 2018
  • #16
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.
 
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