Is it true that you can get a free aluminum DS from the dealer if you have the "vibrashaft" problem? Someone told me this can be done. Does your car still have to be within warranty?

 

My friend with his 99 did that but i think it still has to be under warranty, you could always call the dealer and find out because if it's a recall then it will be replaced whenever.....but i have no idea

 

Yes, your car has to be under warrenty, its just a TSB, not a recall

I tried the same thing a few years ago with my 95, but the dealership wouldn't have any of it unfortunately

Jeff

 

99's already have alum DS, so his was a different problem. I am talking about the bulletin that is out on LT1 cars, anyone know?

 

As posted above.... a "technical service bulletin" (TSB) is NOT a recall. It is simply a set of instructions to the dealer mechanics, telling them how to fix a recurring problem. If your car was under FACTORY warranty, and you could demonstrate that you had the specific problem addressed in the TSB, they would fix it under warranty. But once your warranty runs out, no more "free".... unless you have a dealer that happens to bend the rules a little.... but I suspect your "3 years of 36,000 mile" warranty is probably deceased.

 

That was my thought as well. I actually tried with my car, under warranty, and the jackass dealership said "no". They actually stated that they were unable to go above the speed limit to verify my vibration complaint. My issue was around 70 +/- mph so I think they could have done that, but no. The whole "warranty" thing is a big joke, since the GM's service to me absolutely blew.

 

I tried getting one on my 97SS while it was under warranty, but the TSB was only good for 96 and older. I have heard of some on this board who were able to get one, I was just told that my 97 didn't qualify. I still don't know why the 97 wouldn't have the same problem and could never find a resource to tell me if and how the 97 was fixed.

And being such a wuss, I haven't had my car up to a speed to be able to detect any vibes.

I'm running 4.10s with around 350 RWHP, but still don' know if the DS is out of balance.

 

if i get a vibration ill just talk to my uncle who works at AAM (they made our propshafts) and have him get me a new one!

 

Your SS may have come with a "Lightweigt Driveshaft" from SLP which was already balanced. I know my 97 LT4 Firehawk does, check you original SLP option sticker to verify.

The TSB was actually only up through 96 because GM supposedly fixed the problem on all 97 cars somehow. I don't remember the specfics, but it seemed like they tried balancing all the 97 shafts, which was one of the reasons for moving to the aluminum driveshafts on the LS1 cars.

Either way, with 4.10s if you had the "vibeshaft" problem you'd notice it at around 65-70 if I remember correctly. I had 4.10s in my 95 and got the replacement aluminum shaft under warranty due to this. For the original poster, if you don't have the vibration problem, I would stick the stock steel unit. As you are out of warranty the TSB won't help you, so if you do have the vibration, do one of the following:
1) get the stock unit balanced at a driveshaft shop
2) get a new steel driveshaft that is balanced
3) get a 1LE aluminum driveshaft (you can find them on Ebay sometimes)
4) get an LS1 aluminum driveshaft

Personally, I'd avoid the aluminum units if you ever plan on making big power or using slicks as they are weaker than the steel units.

 

One decent option is Lingenfelter's 3.5" aluminum DS that is pretty beefcake. I believe that Precision Shaft Technologies also makes an aluminum DS that is rated to 700 horsepower. Both are much stronger than the factory LS1 or 1LE alternatives.