It is a reality in many fields that, the simpler a job seems, the more difficult it is to get right. That’s certainly the case with resizing a driveshaft.

Although the driveshaft seems like a simple tool (it’s just a cylinder that goes between the transmission and the differential and rotates), the speeds at which it spins require of it extreme precision. A small amount of disbalance can lead to all sorts of problems.

Redline Rebuilds has taken it upon itself to follow the process of making a new driveshaft as completed by an expert. Although the tube itself is simple enough, selecting one that’s too small can lead to “noodling,” in which the shaft deforms and can even hit the underside of the car.

Read Also: Hard Driving May Cause Driveshaft Failure In One Chiron And Three Divos

Once you’ve found the right width, you have to find the right length, a job that can also lead to difficulties. While it might seem easier to measure the driveshaft with the car in the air, if the suspension is not loaded, it can affect your measurement, which also leads to issues. Best, then, to measure the shaft on the ground.

The process of actually changing the length of the shaft is also full of pitfalls. Both sides of the tube have to be cut perfectly to prevent it from having an angle at either end. That requires good cuts and precision with the grinder.

Even once the tube is cut to the right length, the ends are perfectly square, and the universal joints fitted and welded in, the driveshaft is unlikely to be perfectly balanced. Using a lathe that spins the driveshaft, it has to be balanced, much like a wheel. With weights tack welded in, the driveshaft can finally be installed.

So, while no individual part of the process requires complicated technology, every step requires remarkable precision and attention to detail.

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