That could be the problem?

[Jboy2]

It's good to be back on here! been about 2 - 3 years since i've came back on?

Well, i have a problem :(

My u-joint went out on me yesterday, changed it when i got home, and now i get a vibration from 40 km and above.
Put the van on stands and noticed the drive shaft was pretty shacking at that speed.
Took the shaft back in and made sure the joint was aligned and turned freely...
HOWEVER, i did noticed rub marks on the rear drivers side wheel well, turns out my fiber leaf is frayed and cracked causing that side to sag :(

Could this be causing my vibration problem?
Sadly all the places are closed for the long weekend so i'll just have to wait ](*,)

Thanks!

[astroturf]

Good to have you back.

Yes, That could cause your problem. But, I would also check the Transmission mount.

Keep us posted, Jim

[1Gary]

Yepper.That would do that.I suggest while you at it,go to the pick and pull junk yard and get later model steel leafs for both sides.Make sure you get everything that is bolted to the later model Astro(front mounts etc).

[Jboy2]

Thanks!

The transmission mount is in good condition!
The only thing i changed was the u joint, which gave out on the way home and made a grinding/chirping noise.

Now the only problem is a vibration at 45ish km's and up which will mostly go away when im off the gas.

[Jboy2]

Yepper.That would do that.I suggest while you at it,go to the pick and pull junk yard and get later model steel leafs for both sides.Make sure you get everything that is bolted to the later model Astro(front mounts etc).

Z

That was my plan for today, however we have a long weekend and everything is closed until tuesday #-o

guess i'll be van-less for a while :(

[astroturf]

Trans Mount, Check

I saw a set of the Glass Springs on Ebay awhile back. Might be a good option. I mean they did last for 20 years.

Happy Wrenching, Jim

[doyoulikeithere]

yes, a good fibreleaf will be a much faster easier fix.
The steel leafs are very nice, I have them in mine.
Swapping the front hangers in to let you use steel springs involves dropping the gastank .
The end result is worth it if offroading or hard working it, but if your time and money is short, and your just a pavement people hauler, a fibreleaf may very well be your best bet.

[Jboy2]

Well, I was planning on metal leafs anyways since it will make it easier to lower it ;)
I'm just hoping that is the problem! If not my van will be down longer than I'd like :(

[doyoulikeithere]

I've had 4 vans, all pre 96.
So far everyone of them has a shimmey or a wobble or a vibe at one speed or another.
I also drove 2 of them on frayed fiberleafs for quite a while and mostly they would bottom out on bumps but didnt cause vibes that I noticed.
Depends how far gone they are I guess.
Inspect the brackets that hold the spring to the axle, they often rust out and rip open leaving the spring unattached.
If changing to steel spring, I recommend making 1 minor mod and use 2 ubolts on each spring (4 ubolts total) instead of those rusty bracket POS thingies.

[Jboy2]

The van drove really smooth, then the u joint went out.
I did noticed the the drivers side spring was frayed half way through, and I saw rub marks on the wheel well. The passengers side is in good condition.

I managed to grab some shackles from a 2000 so I will be doing the swap tomorrow.

Hopefully this will stop the problem I have, if not I'm going to get the drive shaft balanced.

Thanks

[doyoulikeithere]

Which ujoint went out fwd or aft?
Did you get the yoke on in the same position if it came off?

have you looked at the brackets I mentioned that hold the spring to the axle???

The fiberleaf brackets will be for a 3" wide spring.
If you got 2.5 inch wide springs from an astro, you will need a narrower bracket for each spring.
I recommend not using those brackets no matter what width. I've seen many that were rusty ripped open.
instead use 2 ubolts per spring, and a flat plate with 4 holes to hold it together, just like a real truck.
Get the plate from an S10 truck at the picknpull, and some new ubolts.
If you do this, you will need to trim some material off the axle with a small angle grinder to fit the 2nd ubolt on each side.

[Jboy2]

It was the rear joint that went out.
I managed to change the springs and it lifted the truck 1.75"

The brackets were from the same truck I got the springs which were in good condition.

Sadly I still have a vibration issue :(

Thanks for all the help DYLIH