Drivetrain Vibration at High Speeds
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: NC
Drivetrain Vibration at High Speeds
Is it possible to feel a strong vibration and rumbling noise from the drive train at speeds above 80 MPH due to adding a supension lift that causes the angle of the drive train to change. I installed a 3" spindle in the front and 2" blocks in the back. Now when I exceed 80 MPH, my truck begins to vibrate strong enough that you can feel it in the seats and the floor of the truck.
Any advise? And no, my tires do not need to be balanced.
Any advise? And no, my tires do not need to be balanced.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Mpls, MN
I don't think you can drive that fast now. I also noticed from another post that you have 4:10 gears. Unless you've also added larger diameter tires to compensate, any vibration you may have had before will now show up at a lower speed.
I think your driveshaft is causing this vibration. You may have to get out an inclinometer and do some measuring at each end of the driveshaft to check the angles. The shop that did the gears for you should be able to help as well.
Another thing: If you have a 4x2 139" wheel base truck, there is a TSB that calls for a larger, 5" driveshaft and revised transmission tailshaft housing. I saw one tailshaft explode from this vibration at 100+ mph so don't go beyond the point where you begin to feel this vibration.
I think your driveshaft is causing this vibration. You may have to get out an inclinometer and do some measuring at each end of the driveshaft to check the angles. The shop that did the gears for you should be able to help as well.
Another thing: If you have a 4x2 139" wheel base truck, there is a TSB that calls for a larger, 5" driveshaft and revised transmission tailshaft housing. I saw one tailshaft explode from this vibration at 100+ mph so don't go beyond the point where you begin to feel this vibration.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: NC
AjRagno,
Thanks for the info. I assumed I was the only one who had experienced this problem because I never saw anything on the board about this before, but after doing a search yesterday, I found several old posts that reveal the same problem with changing the gear ratio. I felt the gear change had something to do with the vibration but the shop mechanics were convienced it did not cause the problem and possibly resulted from the suspension lift. The shop I go to is a mustang shop and the guys are helpful. I don't think they were trying to blow me off, but just hadn't run into this problem with a truck. They turned the drive shaft and check the balance, all ok, and want to try adjusting the angle of the drive shaft next week to see if that would help. I will let them know what you've said. If I have to, I can live with the limiting my speed to under 80 MPH. With a 4.6, I have no regrets about adding 4:10s and really have no business driving over 80 MPH anyways but I still would like to have the option to do so.
Thanks for the info. I assumed I was the only one who had experienced this problem because I never saw anything on the board about this before, but after doing a search yesterday, I found several old posts that reveal the same problem with changing the gear ratio. I felt the gear change had something to do with the vibration but the shop mechanics were convienced it did not cause the problem and possibly resulted from the suspension lift. The shop I go to is a mustang shop and the guys are helpful. I don't think they were trying to blow me off, but just hadn't run into this problem with a truck. They turned the drive shaft and check the balance, all ok, and want to try adjusting the angle of the drive shaft next week to see if that would help. I will let them know what you've said. If I have to, I can live with the limiting my speed to under 80 MPH. With a 4.6, I have no regrets about adding 4:10s and really have no business driving over 80 MPH anyways but I still would like to have the option to do so.