a ring around the drivetrain

So we have the car on jack stands starting to work on the front end... my son looks over at the transmission and says "huh, whats this ring for?"
I have no idea. It is just large enough to slide over the tail shaft, over the u-joint, and can move freely up and the driveshaft. Just shooting from the hip I am guessing thats not the proper function of this ring. Does anyone have any idea what this and/or why it would be here?

 

Btw, thats the tail of the transmission...

 

That used to be attached to your yoke for balance.

 

So i need a new yoke?

 

Maybe, maybe not... It's a damper to lessen vibration of the driveline, if it runs smoothly at 40-70 MPH I probably wouldn't worry about it...

At the least it needs to be securely tied to the tail housing of the trans so it doesn't "walk" up & down the drive shaft and likely cause damage...

 

Thanks guys.

 

Actually it’s an inertia ring to cancel out the resonance frequency in the driveshaft that is caused by sound traveling through a hollow tube...and makes it quieter inside the car. For a more in-depth on the subject see http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2007/0026955.html

 

I would cut it off. It obviously is doing no good and doesn't belong there.

 

My ring is still solidly in place on my driveshaft. I would just drop the rear of the driveshaft and remove the ring. If you now have a driveline vibration (something tells me you do not), you might try getting the driveshaft rebalanced. Make sure you mark the driveshaft and yoke to return them to the same location. It is also a good time to check U-joints.

 

"Make sure you mark the driveshaft and yoke to return them to the same location."

never done this and never had a problem...I've used the same stock length Mav. drive shaft behind a...C-4... AOD...T-5 and 700R4 transmissions with no problems...2:79-3:00 and 3:55 rear gears.
maybe if you have excess wear in the joints...but then the joints needs replaced.

 

71gold,

You are right, you or I will not have a problem. I can re-install my driveshaft in any position. I have newer u-joints, a clean, rust and dirt free driveline and newer differential and transmission bearings and bushings.

From the picture of northern's driveline I would say his does not look like or maybe perform like ours. Over the miles dirt, rust and more specifically wear pattern all have an effect on the drive line. If northern does not return the driveshaft to its original position he may end up with an out if balance situation.

This is not my theory, this is what I have been repeatedly taught. I even experienced it once myself a number of years ago when I was working as an auto tech putting myself through college in Norfolk, VA . I remember it well, a 1967 Dodge Dart 2 door post, slant six, sun bleached green in color with a transmission rear seal leak. I did not mark the driveshaft and yoke. Sure enough the owner brought it back to the shop with a vibration, my boss checked for marks and there were none. I got chewed royally and had to correct the mistake on my own time. Lesson learned.

 

I mark them too, can't hurt and is effortless

 

I have never had an issue on a driveshaft removal/replace causing a problem. What happens when u get new shaft and u-joints, no way to mark them! I don't see anything wrong w/ it - just don't think it's necessary if everything is in the driveline is up to par.

 

A new shaft is not mass produced like the original shaft was. I agree Ford driveshafts were better balanced from the get-go than Mopar, but still not perfect, or close to perfect, than having a new shaft made from the driveline shop. Ford did put paint marks on where the driveshaft suppose to live for a reason.

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My yoke has like a spline missing on the inside, it was made that way....WHY?