Lets talk drive shafts

Robbie Welch · 08-25-2016, 07:01 AM

I'm thinking of replacing my steel drive shaft and I'm interested in an aluminum shaft. My car has a long shaft 57" tell me about your experience with aluminum or other material drive shafts. Are there any negatives to running one (I don't want to replace it every couple years) welded vs bonded? What company have you dealt with good or bad. Thanks for your feedback.

Tom Goldman · 08-25-2016, 12:59 PM

Robbie , I would not put a aluminum shaft that long in a car as heavy as yours with a trans brake .
You would need to go to a 4" diameter shaft for one that long.
I'd recommend a 3 1/2" chromemoly shaft for a car like yours
The performance benefits of the aluminum shaft on Super class cars are minimal compared to cost and longevity.

Jeff Stout · 08-25-2016, 03:23 PM

I think my g body is 52 long maybe 54 long. It's a mark Williams 3.5. Hundreds of passes with small and big block. Small tire and big tire with no problems.
I removed 14 lbs from drive shaft and rotating in rear end and zero et gain.

Robbie Welch · 08-25-2016, 08:18 PM

Tom, and Jeff thanks for responding, I talked to a rep from PST and with the data I gave him he recommend and aluminum 4". He said with the Leigh and diameter of my drive shaft the critical mass was at 5500 RPM. I've been dealing with a vibration around that RPM for a while. I've replaced the yoke new joints and rebalanced the drive shaft and its still there. I think he said and aluminum 4" diameter that long critical mass would be 7700 RPM. I don't know if he was just blowing smoke up my butt or not.

Keith 944 · 08-25-2016, 09:02 PM

I bought a MW aluminum shaft when they used to pay contingency it is 3.5 or 4" can't recall but it is bonded, with their yoke, been in car over 15 years now. I kept the steel one I made as a spare. I remember that it was no gain whatsoever. but if you have a vibration now, what is there to loose? Maybe some $ but you will have a spare!

Robbie Welch · 08-26-2016, 06:39 AM

Keith I know someone else the runs a Mark Williams shaft. He asked about sending it back to be inspected and they said it was not necessary just change the joints. But his and I'm sure yours aren't 57" long? Anyone else with a similar leigh shaft.

Run to Rund · 08-26-2016, 11:35 AM

Running a MW masterline aluminum 4" shaft in stick car that runs low-mid 11s. No problems over about 5-6 years. (Welded ends, MW yoke for Jerico). 56.5" cl to cl of u-joints.

gnicholson · 09-01-2016, 05:55 AM

I have a long shaft in my 70 chevelle. Forgot the exact length but its an aluminium 4 inch mark williams shaft ive ran since 05 woth zero issues

Robbie Welch · 09-02-2016, 06:42 AM

gnicholson, is your drive shaft welded or bonded?

gnicholson · 09-02-2016, 08:42 AM

Its welded

08-25-2016, 07:01 AM	#1
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,234 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Lets talk drive shafts I'm thinking of replacing my steel drive shaft and I'm interested in an aluminum shaft. My car has a long shaft 57" tell me about your experience with aluminum or other material drive shafts. Are there any negatives to running one (I don't want to replace it every couple years) welded vs bonded? What company have you dealt with good or bad. Thanks for your feedback. Last edited by Robbie Welch; 08-26-2016 at 06:40 AM.

08-25-2016, 12:59 PM	#2
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 879 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts Robbie , I would not put a aluminum shaft that long in a car as heavy as yours with a trans brake . You would need to go to a 4" diameter shaft for one that long. I'd recommend a 3 1/2" chromemoly shaft for a car like yours The performance benefits of the aluminum shaft on Super class cars are minimal compared to cost and longevity. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

08-25-2016, 03:23 PM	#3
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,484 Likes: 65 Liked 704 Times in 281 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts I think my g body is 52 long maybe 54 long. It's a mark Williams 3.5. Hundreds of passes with small and big block. Small tire and big tire with no problems. I removed 14 lbs from drive shaft and rotating in rear end and zero et gain.

08-25-2016, 08:18 PM	#4
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,234 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts Tom, and Jeff thanks for responding, I talked to a rep from PST and with the data I gave him he recommend and aluminum 4". He said with the Leigh and diameter of my drive shaft the critical mass was at 5500 RPM. I've been dealing with a vibration around that RPM for a while. I've replaced the yoke new joints and rebalanced the drive shaft and its still there. I think he said and aluminum 4" diameter that long critical mass would be 7700 RPM. I don't know if he was just blowing smoke up my butt or not.

08-25-2016, 09:02 PM	#5
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,192 Likes: 1,159 Liked 1,873 Times in 576 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts I bought a MW aluminum shaft when they used to pay contingency it is 3.5 or 4" can't recall but it is bonded, with their yoke, been in car over 15 years now. I kept the steel one I made as a spare. I remember that it was no gain whatsoever. but if you have a vibration now, what is there to loose? Maybe some $ but you will have a spare! __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

08-26-2016, 06:39 AM	#6
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,234 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts Keith I know someone else the runs a Mark Williams shaft. He asked about sending it back to be inspected and they said it was not necessary just change the joints. But his and I'm sure yours aren't 57" long? Anyone else with a similar leigh shaft. Last edited by Robbie Welch; 08-26-2016 at 06:42 AM.

08-26-2016, 11:35 AM	#7
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts Running a MW masterline aluminum 4" shaft in stick car that runs low-mid 11s. No problems over about 5-6 years. (Welded ends, MW yoke for Jerico). 56.5" cl to cl of u-joints. Last edited by Run to Rund; 09-02-2016 at 01:09 PM.

09-01-2016, 05:55 AM	#8
gnicholson Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 103 Likes: 15 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts I have a long shaft in my 70 chevelle. Forgot the exact length but its an aluminium 4 inch mark williams shaft ive ran since 05 woth zero issues

09-02-2016, 06:42 AM	#9
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,234 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts gnicholson, is your drive shaft welded or bonded?

09-02-2016, 08:42 AM	#10
gnicholson Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 103 Likes: 15 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Lets talk drive shafts Its welded