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Information on Specific Components Can be Found on These Pages
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Driveshaft balancing equipment in our repair shop makes possible a level of precision commonly sought for stock car and drag racing. Find out more about balancing by going to these pages that feature our repair service.
Driveshaft Trouble Shooting
Driveshaft components fail for several reasons. Failures may occur due to excessive torque and shock loads caused by extreme vehicle operations. As with many things failures obviously occur from lack of maintenance, especially lubrication. U-joint operating angles and drive shaft lengths also contribute to problems when a driveshaft is modified to meet new operating requirements.
Spicer provides many years of insight into the operations of driveshafts and the references listed below. When you begin to feel abnormal vibrations from your truck it is time to look closely at Spicer’s trouble shooting literature. If you are not yet completely sure why a drive shaft part has failed, take a look at this guide to failure analysis. For Spicer's maintenance and service manual for driveshafts including best lubrication practices click here.  Spicer's Drive Shaft Explode View |
Driveshaft Design ConsiderationsWith 90% of today's trucks specifying Spicer driveshafts, Spicer can be said to have "written the book" on driveshafts.
The most challenging driveshaft to maintain is found where the transmission and axle are not in direct line with each other. Spicer recommends several factors be considered when repairing such a driveshaft. Universal joint failures can be caused by lubricant breakdown and improper installation, improper angles and unsafe speeds. Every driveshaft has a critical speed at which it begins to bow off its normal rotating centerline. All of the factors influencing the life of a drive shaft are covered in this Spicer driveshaft design manual. The Spicer manual explains how to determine this critical speed and how to design a driveshaft that cannot be used in excess of its safe speed. You will also want to you follow the basic rules that apply to universal joint operating angles. 1) Universal joint operating angles at each end of a driveshaft should always be at least 1 degree. 2) Universal joint operating angles on each end of a driveshaft should always be within 1 degree of each other. 3) For virtual vibration free performance, universal joint operating angles should not be larger than 3 degrees, but if they must, then do not exceed the maximum recommended angles. The Spicer installation manual illustrates how to measure these angles and insure the most efficient transfer of power from the transmission to drive axle. |
Who is "Roadranger" and Who supplies Plaza with drive train partsSince 1998 Dana and Eaton have been jointly marketing their drivetrain components as the “Roadranger” system. You will see that Roadranger.com offers its own website and the name is prominent on brochures. Dana continues to be the sole manufacture of the Spicer brand of quality driveshaft components.
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Other Helpful Information
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