I apologize in advance for being so wordy but Thank You for any advice you can lend.

I'm sure you've probably read about my driveshaft swap that I just completed last night. If not please feel free to catch up right quick: 2-Piece to 1-piece driveshaft swap thread

Here's my dilemma...

On the way to work my *NEW* driveshaft twisted in two.. right down the middle. Yes I mean it twisted into two pieces. I'm ok and I didn't cause any other vehicles damage but my truck is all kindsa @*#)%^'d up now.
I didn't notice any vibrations until I got to the interstate. The first 20 miles of my commute is 2ndary roads of about 50mph or less. I went anywhere from 0-60mph and noticed nothing.
As soon as I got off the on-ramp onto the freeway and hit about 65mph I noticed a slight vibration. I merged into the left lane to pass someone, hit 5th gear and accelerated to around 70-75mph and the vibration became MUCH louder for a few seconds and then it broke. I pulled over asap.
This all happened in under a minute.
When it broke the piece attached to the xfer case flopped all over the place, banging off everything under there. At first glance it put a _HUGE_ dent in my gas tank and must have punctured it somewhere because all of my gas leaked out.

When I called the machine/drivetrain shop I told them what I wanted. The head machinist aka the shop manager there was the one I dealt with and the one I had make my driveshaft.
When we consulted over the phone he told me that "anything 60"+ for a 1piece driveshaft was un-common, but do-able."

This in mind I put my faith in him. If you read my other thread I'm sure you got that idea.

I requested that they install the u-joints and balance it for me (standard procedure, no?). But when I went in on Friday afternoon to pick up my new part the u-joints were not in yet. This was around closing time (0:05 of closing) and they were in a hurry to leave. Who wouldn't be, it's friday? He installed my u-joints while I watched, then put the shaft on a lathe and painted it for me, also per my request (another thing that you'd think would be standard procedure, but I had to ask for that too).

Once he was done he handed it over and called it done.

I asked if he balanced it, he said, and I quote "No, but if it vibrates any bring it back next week and I'll balance it for you."

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> WELL IT @#$*%)^'ing VIBRATED!


*ahem* Excuse me.

Anyway, my main question is.. what do I do? I'm 99% sure they're at fault.
I don't want to call right now because I'm still steamed.


CLIFFNOTES: <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Machine shop made me new driveshaft; flange-to-flange. They didn't balance it.
I installed it, it twisted in two @ 70mph, wrecking havoc under my truck.
What do I do?

You now have a twisted pleasure dildo for the machinist's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />hole


...<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

Damn, sorry to hear that man. Been in a similar place with a so called "factory remanufactured" transmission and "new in the box" clutch install which turned out to be an old transmission cleaned with acid and a used clutch plate with little life left in it. Judge found in my favor,$5 under WA small claims maximum allowable amount.

If you've asked him to replace the driveshaft and fix any damage it caused and he agrees great.
If not, photograph and document everything, if you have a witness have them sign a statement.
Have lawyer(paralegal,intern or secretay will actually do it) send him a quote for the damage on thier firms letterhead,
(this will cost you $50) and see what happens.
If he's smart he'll pay the damage to have someone else fix it and move on with his miserable life. Obviously you don't want him to touch your truck at this point.

I've been down this road with shady mechanics, don't go off half cocked and threaten him or do something stupid. If the judge in small claims court thinks your a hot head he or she dismiss the case and your on your own. Play by the rules and you'll get it fixed.
Go down to his shop with a loaded .44 and you'll end up in jail with a broken truck and seriously pissed off wife or worse.
I'd say at the very least he owe's you all your money back and a gas tank in at least the condition yours was in before the axle grenaded.

What our local driveline shop does:

Install new ujoints
Inspect condition of yokes
Inspect runout (this is in the FSM)
Balance/time driveline (you'll see a weighted tab or two welded on)
Painted

$250

YES IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BALANCED before it even went out the door. Science happens, and did indeed give you said results. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

If this bonehead won't replace your driveline AND pay for the collateral damage inflicted, BBB and your insurance company might be your next phone calls.

TAKE PICTURES--and with that being said, LOOK and make SURE you installed it correctly

Please read as reference

You might talk to a heavy equipment or performance shop if the guy doesn't make things right for you.

Be calm, and good luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

i def took pics right on the side of the road w/ my camera phone. I'll go back w/ my digi and take pics of it at the garage I had it towed to.

I'm not sure what inspecting for runout means, but i'll ask about that too.

All in all it was $239.44. They quoted me at 100-120 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

He definitely had the slip-yoke apart, but I'm positive he did align the ends together, I watched/helped him do it. I held the heavy end while he eye-balled it. *shrug*
Whether it was 180 out or not, I'm not really sure. Again I'll check tomorrow for any markings on the yoke/driveshaft. Thanks for the link to Roger's writeup.

Would it be a bad thing to take the driveshaft off now that it's destroyed to examine it? After I take more pictures of course.

My company has an in-house lawyer I talked with him this afternoon and he said he'd be more than happy to help me with anything I need.. making phone calls for me, writing up letters, etc.
That's a bonus

I definitely did measure my flanges at the top and the bottom before I installed the driveshaft. The measurements were maybe a 1/16th off from each other. One was like 64 7/8" and the other was 64 15/16" if i remember correctly.
As for installing it incorrectly.. all I did was bolt it on and torque down the 8 bolts. He gave it to me from the shop in a manner to be bolted right in.

I'll print all this out and roger's writeup before I go back there. Thanks a bunch for your replies so far. Any more are welcome <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

oh... and thanks. I'll try.

Um, I know your'e a smart guye, but then again a lot of times I'm not sure.. But don't print/show him my post. kgoodluckbyenow <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Runout Inspection page PR-8 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> This is usually checked if it's suspected that a driveline is bent; ask me how I know. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

The 'ears' of the yolks should line up if you have to eyeball it, say, if you accidentally pull the front piece out of the rear piece. If the splines are off, this is the timing part of it, IIRC. That's why it's recommended you mark your d-line and diff flanges before you remove it off the rig, so you know how to properly reinstall it. That's why I said to inspect your installation before you touch it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

I'd have some mixed feelings about pulling it right now, as he can easily say you put it in wrong. I'd invite him over for an inspection, and have your mechanic or someone just be there as a silent witness (stays out of conversation) while he looks at it.

Scerb ur posts are worthless.
tnx tho


also: im grumpy in the mornin

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

'swhatchu get fer posting this in off-topic.