Straightening a bent driveshaft

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Auto Shop teacher
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Straightening a bent driveshaft

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:50 pm

Sorry about the 100 questions, but I want my mule running for our antique truck show coming up in May at our Railroad museum as we have a bunch of green trucks there too, so here goes.

I was spinning the wheels of the mule on my shop rack and noticed that there is about 3/8" runout in the driveshaft While this is a slow vehicle, it appears that that much is excessive and will cause vibration and wear and tear in the mule. What have you experienced, and can you bend the driveshaft straight yourself?


C15TA
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Re: Straightening a bent driveshaft

Post by C15TA » Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:38 pm

I think I would take it to a good driveline shop and just have the tube replaced. It will cost a few bucks but it
will be straight and balanced when you are done. I have straightened shafts before but would have been lucky to
have got them within 3/8 ". This is not a high speed machine so it is not as critical but a straight and balanced shaft
will put a lot less stress on everything. Just my 2 cents.
Barry

Chuck W.
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Re: Straightening a bent driveshaft

Post by Chuck W. » Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:13 am

It's a solid shaft, not a tube, so it's pretty easy to straighten, any machine shop with a press and a set of V-blocks can do it for you. Last one I had done, the guy didn't even charge me!

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Re: Straightening a bent driveshaft

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:24 pm

Thanks for the info Chuck, I have a 40 ton Nuger press in my shop, that oughta be enough.... :lol:

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Re: Straightening a bent driveshaft

Post by Chuck W. » Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:43 pm

That should do it! A couple of V blocks and a dial indicator and you're good to go!

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Re: Straightening a bent driveshaft

Post by markrdje » Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:29 pm

I laid mine on a concrete step, hit it with a sledge hammer, (the driveline place wouldn't touch it) would post pictures but photo bucket is no longer a desired means.
change user name to mark


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