G 1500 1/2 Ton Van V8-5.7L VIN R (1997)
Drive/Propeller Shaft: Description and Operation
Balancing
It is critical to reference mark the propeller shaft and rear axle before removal or separation to ensure that upon reinstallation, it is in phased, balanced
and aligned with the axle correctly.
The front and rear shafts of a two-piece propeller shaft are a balanced matched set. Severe damage to the driveling may result if the parts of The
propeller shafts are interchanged and installed without re-balancing the interchanged parts. The label on the two-piece propeller shaft which also states
this critical warning should not be removed.
The one-piece propeller shaft has an orange arrow on the identification label which indicates the low point of the small residual imbalance which still
remains after the shaft is balanced within its specified tolerance. The two-piece propeller shaft has an orange dot on or near the pinion flange of the rear
axle which indicates the low point of imbalance. However, this dot may be faded, and as stated above, it is necessary to reference mark the relationship
of components before removal. There is also an orange dot on or near the pinion flange of the rear axle which may also have a stamped "X" at the same
location which indicates the high point of residual imbalance. The orange arrow or dot on the propeller shaft must be aligned as closely as possible with
the orange dot or "X" on the rear axle to offset the residual imbalances and produce the smoothest possible driveline.
