oldcutlass

How did you fix the bent driveshaft the first time?

RandyS

Actually, most axles and driveshafts are really easy to remove/install.

Fun71

With the car sitting for so long it could be flat spot on a tire.

AtomicT

I went to Universal Joint Services in Rutherford NJ. I was told he was the only guy around. I watched him do it on the spindle thingy. It seemed pretty legit. Took like 20 minutes and cost me $35 if i remember correctly

AtomicT

That may be the case, I am holding out hope for the front ones since I just put them on, but I'm afraid the back ones may be done in by flat spots.

Do they ever come out?

AtomicT

Really? Never done it before, never had to. Are there any olds specific tutorials anywhere I could reference?

oldcutlass

Then I would probably rule out the drive shaft.

MDchanic

I don't trust any of these people. You never know.


As far as the tires, "flat spots" were a much more significant problem on the old bias ply tires. Newer radials seldom do that, though it is not impossible.
The old remedy was always to go for a very long, very fast drive, which would heat them up and smooth them out, but it's not reliable.

Having them balanced will probably not find a flat spot (though newer balancing machines which can put a car's weight on a roller attached to the machine and roll the tire may find it), but it should isolate problems with balance and bent rims.

- Eric

olds 307 and 403

Were new U joints done on the drive shaft? Welcome to drving old cars.

AtomicT

Hahaha! Yes driving old cars for regular transportation, like a constant itch you can't get but are ok living with! As for the u-jonts, no. Would they be a cause for this vibration. Are they hard to change?

AtomicT

Just to finally close out the last part of this for all the people who helped me - it was the tires. They had gone bad from not being used enough are were so very warped. I couldn't see it in my garage, but the guys at the tire shop rolled it down the shop and it wobbled so bad it looked like it would fall over. So new tires, vibe went away.

Thanks for all the input. Now see my new thread where the new problem is. Ugg

oldcutlass

I assume its running well now also.

steverw

I would have a new drive shaft made or find a known good used one. I dont trust having a bent shaft straightened, plus it will probably wear out the bushing in the tail housing of the transmission. This can also cause a straight shaft to wobble if not replaced.
Good luck.