Warning - do not powdercoat your driveshaft!

[sadil340]

I thought as a nice finishing touch I'd have my driveshaft powdercoated. When I picked it up I heard something sliding around inside (see http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=58049.0) which turned out to be an internal vibration damper. Apparently they are bonded inside of the shaft with something (rubber?) which melts in the powdercoat oven. The driveshaft specialist cut off the end of the shaft and took this out:

[Katfish]

Thanks for the heads up!

I was considering getting mine done.  Ended up buying a new driveshaft from Mancini, it came clear coated.

[dutch]

   never heard of that before....  I was about to coat mine... 

thanks 

did you get yours fixed?

[sadil340]

Hey Dutch! We put it back together and balanced it - only to find out that the shaft is .040 out of true. It was nice and smooth but you could see the wobble. I guess 180,000 miles of full throttle shifts took their toll  .

So the driveshaft guy is going to build me a new one - slightly thicker wall than the original and a racing yoke. Should be good for another 180,000!

[dutch]

sounds good man,

how`s that awesome build of yours coming along?  it looks so very jummy 

[sadil340]

Getting there! As soon as the driveshaft is in I am going to take a complete set of photos and post them on the Board. I'll PM you when I get them posted.

[lemming303]

Thanks for the heads up!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Wow, never saw that before.. good info to know!

[HP2]

I just paint mine white and stick em in.

[shadango]

I was too cheap to powder, so I just rustoleum'd it.......glad my cheapness actually worked FOR me for a change!  LOL

Sorry to hear of your woes though....I bought my driveshaft used...hopefully its true.

[hotrod98]

I always lightly blast mine before having the new u-joints installed and then balanced. After getting it back I shoot a light coat of black epoxy primer and then shoot a single coat of semi gloss black two part urethane. I always worry about getting too much buildup after they've been balanced.
I'm a creature of habit. I've been doing them the same way for over 30 years.

[Ck[FIN]]

I made new driveshaft to my race car from old dodges driveshaft. I shortened it a lot and I also found that kind of balancer inside the shaft. It was piece of pipe with rubber in the other end. Other end was welded. I had never seen that before. 

[RT Dude]

Getting there! As soon as the driveshaft is in I am going to take a complete set of photos and post them on the Board. I'll PM you when I get them posted.

Looks like a nice Cuda.
BTW What is the colour. FT6?

[sadil340]

Looks like a nice Cuda.
BTW What is the colour. FT6?

Thanks Brent! It's FK5 Burnt Orange.

[ksierens]

One other warning, I wouldn't have any springs (hood, door, trunk) done either.  I had my hood springs chem striped and e-coated.  Because they bake the parts first, the heat took the temper out of the springs and it would not keep my hood up.