Work Done 2025

[all night moe]

Driveshaft itself out of balance?

 

[NickW]

Driveshaft itself out of balance?

I hope not. It's brand new and "factory dynamically balanced"...

 

[MRD1985]

Reloaded the porch rack, all wood re-cut to desired length of 16”. Wasn’t completely empty, but some cold weather coming up and my schedule is jam packed for the foreseeable future. Had some help from my 5 year old too, he loves to help.

 

[MRD1985]

Yes, new carrier bearing and u-joints included. Honestly the price wasn't bad at $500+/- and theoretically "premium" and factory balanced, but it is aftermarket not OEM. It's really not a bad job to do either.

Considering I've done the u-joints half a dozen times or so and the carrier bearing 3 times I think, I figured it was time to try a different route. A bit disappointed I can't drive 80, but with a 21 year old vehicle with almost 400k miles what can I really expect without going down a rabbit hole.

What’s the frequency of vibration? Tire speed or drive line speed

 

[NickW]

What’s the frequency of vibration? Tire speed or drive line speed

Just took it for a quick test drive the other day. Vibration starts at 70ish and gets worse faster. Wouldn't drive line speed (driveshaft/rear end) and tire speed be proportionate?

I can tell you this... There's always been off and on vibration issues which is why I went a whole new driveshaft instead of just doing the carrier bearing and u-joints again. It always got better after doing the u-joints and/or carrier bearing, but it never seemed to last very long. The conversation about an out of balance driveshaft always happens after I do it. Last set of u-joints was put in a year and a half ago/16,000 miles ago by a shop instead of myself. The rubber in the carrier bearing was definitely getting bad again. This shop helped me with a multitude of things vibrating and clunking. Last spring ('24) between them and me we did both front wheel bearing hubs, front driveshaft, rear end bearing seal, driveshaft u-joints and a transfer case bearing.

This latest vibration started after getting a couple of units of treated 4x6x8's slid onto my trailer. It wasn't a gentle process... I was hoping the new driveshaft would fix it, but now I'm concerned it could be in the rear end. I will start simple and have the tire balance checked.

 

[MRD1985]

Just took it for a quick test drive the other day. Vibration starts at 70ish and gets worse faster. Wouldn't drive line speed (driveshaft/rear end) and tire speed be proportionate?

I can tell you this... There's always been off and on vibration issues which is why I went a whole new driveshaft instead of just doing the carrier bearing and u-joints again. It always got better after doing the u-joints and/or carrier bearing, but it never seemed to last very long. The conversation about an out of balance driveshaft always happens after I do it. Last set of u-joints was put in a year and a half ago/16,000 miles ago by a shop instead of myself. The rubber in the carrier bearing was definitely getting bad again. This shop helped me with a multitude of things vibrating and clunking. Last spring ('24) between them and me we did both front wheel bearing hubs, front driveshaft, rear end bearing seal, driveshaft u-joints and a transfer case bearing.

This latest vibration started after getting a couple of units of treated 4x6x8's slid onto my trailer. It wasn't a gentle process... I was hoping the new driveshaft would fix it, but now I'm concerned it could be in the rear end. I will start simple and have the tire balance checked.

Driveline vibration frequency will feel similar to rumble strips-high frequency . Tires will just be more of a shake-low frequency . Tires are always a good place to start.

Those differentials are not the most durable from my experience. At 400K I wouldn’t be surprised if at least carrier bearings have had it. Did you notice any play in the pinion when R/R driveshaft? Transfer cases also have their fair share of problems. Bushing in the back of the transfer case still serviceable? Could be other things also. Such as drive line angles. Is the vibration all the time at those speeds or just on acceleration and or deceleration? Don’t forget to check your front driveshaft u joints, as well as front axle u joints (behind hubs).

Rear hub bearings also worth checking

 

[Dieselhead]

Filled the spruce tote today and brought it up to the porch

 

[NickW]

Pulled both piers by myself by hand today. Ok, by hand and with big ratchet straps. They are wooden on floats and heavy. Typically we use the ATV to slide them up some PVC pipes, but with the boardwalk under construction and the weather starting to get iffy I figured I better get it done.

I did get some more timbers cut and bases set in place and semi level for the boardwalk too.

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

Scored some roadside firewood today. It was from old split rail fencing posts. They were very heavy duty. I think they are cedar, but I don't get any smell from them. I cut them into chunks so I can burn them N/S in my stove. Chopped up a load of kindling from very large maple splits and blew the leaves around in the backyard so we don't step in hidden doggie stuff. I blow them along my fence line and they become mulch for the various bushes and plants that grow along the fence.
Had to buy a new tarp for my firewood stack out alongside my driveway. I was using a 10x20 footer folded in half longwise, making it a 5x20 footer. Unfortunately, the wind keeps getting under it since the direction changes every 5 minutes around here. I got a 4x20 footer, bungee cords and eye bolts to tie down the tarp. Have an annual physical tomorrow at the VA but after that I will get the stack re-covered. Always plenty to do around the homestead!