Tuning of Drive Shaft?
 

Has anyone done this on their Benz?

I was told by the workshop that it was possible to tune the drive shaft so as to stop the vibration. We don't know of any other workshops in and around this area that does the same, and do wonder whether anyone here has had this experience?

Well I don't know whether I would call it tuning, but the vibrations made by driveshafts can be repaired. It usually requires straightening or balancing. The u-joint causes much of the vibrations. They are not replacable in MB shafts but there are a number of top quality driveshaft shops that can do it. The best one I know of is Beyer Motor Works in Mesa Arizona.

I've heard of tuning by placing different size nuts (different weight) around the bolts of the rear flex disc. The rear of the car has to be raised and somebody sits on the rear seat to feel for vibrations.

Vin

Khun ymsin,

1. I’m a member of MBCA, we have an advertisement on our “Star” magazine there is a place in OR that do drive shaft work their web page is: http://www.driveshafts.com/index.html
2. Before you start are you sure it’s not your propeller shaft intermediate bearing or the rear universal joint ring bearings needing grease or need replacement?
3. Lastly if you’re in Malaysia why don’t you go into Singapore to just get newer spare parts there, I hear any car older then 3 years old are scraped, I wished I have something like that available to me. :p

Thai GI sends...

Thank you for the comments.

So I take it that a specific machine is not required?

If it is indeed the vibration, would I also assume that straightening or balancing the u-joint would be the plausible solution?

When I have my bimmer,everytime we pull the trans to
change the clutch,the tech.made sure that the center
bearing are pre loaded,the driveshaft deflection angle
correct,and he made sure that driveshaft runs straight
from the trans to the final drive.I guess fine tuning is
done by balancing the drive shaft.And I don't know if
this procedures are applicable to MB.

If its not replaceable, then what do they do?

Kerry,
They call,Phil at 1-888-333-4642.:D
(Just Kidding)

I was told the number is for parts ID help ONLY. NOT technical support.

Good try.
:D

Sawasdee Khun Thai GI -

1. Thanks for the link.
2. Will check on this, though it sounds quite logical.
3. Cars older than 10 years are scrapped in Singapore, unless you buy an extended Certificate of Entitlement. Anyway, I doubt if it might be a good idea to purchase a second hand d/shaft when a new one would probable cost about $800.

Keep well.
:)

As to "what do they do". I wish I knew! That is I wish I knew where to purchase the tooling to do it as I would do it myself. They remove the u-joint (not hard I have done it numerous times - simplest method is to burn the center out with a torch and drive the caps inward). The original joint is held in by "crimping" the yoke. Once the caps are removed the crimping is reamed or honed from the yoke. At this point new u-joints can be assembled. They need to be held in though.

The beauty of the shafts Beyer does is that they then machine the yokes to accept snap-rings such as well built shafts were built before disposability. This machining is the trick. There is more to it than just a grove cut in the yoke (I really would like to see that machine). Getting it centered is absolutely critical to balance. Other than the this part all they have to do is make sure their tubes are straight and that the whole thing is balanced and indexed properly.

I realised that the trick is getting in and out of the U-joint, and bonding it so that is sits well and secured. Its not a detachable part, and I suspect what is being done is actually a minor form of modification on a whole piece of shaft-joint.

Even if we had the tools to work with, I doubt if it might produce the desired results unless we had the experience and expertise to see it through. That having said, it might be interesting had we known the tools used to obtain the desired results.

I mean, the MB drive shaft and u-joint is not something that you can dismantle and re-assemble with relative ease though I wish now did it is. Nor is it as simple as replacing nuts and bolts and hoping that the vibration is solved.

I was hoping someone here would have had the experience to guide us through.

Kerry,
For some information about MB drive shaft,
you can call this nos.1-800-227-8608 or you
can fax them.(503)289-5838.MB and BMW's are
their specialty.

Thanks for the info.
:)