Aluminum driveshaft clang???

[Chuck]

This noise has been there ever since I put in the aluminum driveshaft. I figured it was normal since it began that day and has not gotten better or worse in 7 years. If I shift gears a little out of synch and allow the driveline to relax, I get a small clang when I take out the driveline slack. If I back off of the gas, I can hear the clang when the slack comes out of the driveline. My wife is very concerned that I have ruined a collector car 'cause it sounds like it's coming apart. I don't mind it at all and try to drive smoothly so that I don't constantly apply/relax tension on the driveline. Do I have too much play in the driveline? Is the rearend in need of adjustment? Is it time for an 8.8? Is it time to get my hearing checked? Everything is tight as far as I can tell.

[SVO4PWR2]

The d/s is a bigger diameter it might be hitting the exhaust or something else. Check the d/s and see if there's any rub marks.

let us know

-RICH-

[CP86SVO]

It might be the parking brake cables rubbing a bit on the driveshaft....you'll see witness marks on the driveshaft if this is the case...

HTH

WS

[Srsvo]

Drive shaft

Mine does the exact same. never gave it much thought.

[Chuck]

It's not a rub; it's the backlash between all the drivetrain parts. Under load there is no noise. Under coast there is no noise. The noise occurs during the transition from coast to load or load to coast. I guess I'm just looking for info that would prove me wrong when I told my wife "That's how it is with an aluminum driveshaft. It amplifies imprecision in the driveline." And I want to get consensus before I do the "I told you so" dance.

[trainford308]

My aluminum drive shaft makes more noise also. Tom

[Chuck]

OK, I'll bite; What is a CF shaft?

[NavySVO]

OK, I'll bite;

Your dog does, you better!

What is a CF shaft?

Carbon Fiber. Mike has one.

[razorSVO]

I have the same problem with my new aluminum shaft and think I need to make a change. Anyone want an aluminum shaft for a new steel shaft

[RTStabler51]

Change to a CF shaft. No aluminum ringing anymore.

would that help with reducing the noise some of us get with the aluminum driveshaft and aluminum flywheels?
I'm sure it cost a pretty nickel

[saleenster]

Is this occuring with all Aluminum Driveshafts? Anybody got a "fix" to this? I am wanting to change to an Al Driveshaft to reduce rotational weight...

[ISS SVO]

My 84 has an aluminum DS and I have not noticed any noises at all. PO installed it, so maybe I just don't know any better because I never had it with steel DS. I will give it a once over for marks just in case.

[jkboyd]

Is this occuring with all Aluminum Driveshafts? Anybody got a "fix" to this? I am wanting to change to an Al Driveshaft to reduce rotational weight...

Seems like people love them or hate them. I had problems with my Al driveshaft clanging and also when I let off the gas there was an annoying buzzing. The buzzing couldn't be felt in the car but it was noisy. I wound up spending $50 bucks and had my stock driveshaft balanced and put it back in. For just cruising around on the street, which is all I do, unless the balancer on your stock drivshaft is falling apart I wouldn't waste the money on the AL shaft. Just my .02 cents.

[saleenster]

Seems like people love them or hate them. I had problems with my Al driveshaft clanging and also when I let off the gas there was an annoying buzzing. The buzzing couldn't be felt in the car but it was noisy. I wound up spending $50 bucks and had my stock driveshaft balanced and put it back in. For just cruising around on the street, which is all I do, unless the balancer on your stock drivshaft is falling apart I wouldn't waste the money on the AL shaft. Just my .02 cents.

Gotcha, thanks for the info.

[Chuck]

According to a source no longer here, there was about a 2hp gain by going to the AL DS...Not something you'll feel in the seat of your pants.