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Thread: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

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    HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Part#26-11-1-225-624

    -M57
    Febi Bilstein 02562

    https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...Y&fs=0&SVSVSI=

    so i installed the above listed couplers on my 1994. existing couplers were definitely shot on visual inspection and had started to rattle at speed.

    now i have an unbalanced installation, as in i did something wrong. i feel confident the front end of the drive shaft went in aligned the way it came out, but not sure about the rear engine mount. i may have reassembled differently. may not have aligned the floating metal shuttle coupler and may not be mounted to engine mounts same as came out.

    AND using the above couplers required brakeline bushings/spacers to take space in the bolt holes which still left a little more play than originals. the sleeves i cut are not all same length so rotating mass is different. but couplers do not shift once i've installed and feel solid.

    and i moved the engine accessory carriage mount forward a bit to make room for the BMW couplers, but may not have moved each side the same distance. they're difficult to move around.a

    How do i balance this? i've started changing the rear mount configuration around and still get good shakes driving at highway speeds. does a shop have a tool that could help this easy? i did this on jack stands in the driveway which is PIA! i have successfully changed SADS in the past on other previa.

    are there alignment marks i can see to balance? way to balance the SADS shaft? without removing from under the van(so difficult to remove!)? i leave the shaft in place and change couplers on my SC awd previas.

    thanks for any help. Hey Tim!

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Wish I could help, but I've never done the job myself. I can say that my Febi's are working fine after having them installed 6 weeks ago, so they aren't the problem. I wonder if a proper shop can check it and maybe balance it for you? Yikes I'd hate to have to do the job once let alone twice.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Thanks Previologist!
    Did you use spacers in the bolt holes on your couplers? And what exact did you use? And did they leave a bit of play in the bolts, more so than original couplers?
    I definitely appreciate the thumbs up on the couplers and I want to assume they are not the problem.
    When you suggest balancing at a shop, are you saying get the sads shaft balanced with couplers attached? And then reinstall? Because I don't know how I would get the front end of the shaft reattached with the couplers already placed.
    And I did start moving around the accessory carriage and expect that could be part of the problem now.
    Thank you!

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    i won't be much help because I wasn't even in the state when the work was done, and hadn't even seen the van yet. I had them do the work before I even purchased it, and i was buying it from the guy who owned the shop so anything is possible.

    I told the shop to use brake line spacers per the directions elsewhere on this site. I have no idea what they actually did. I gave the shop owner full instructions and it sounded like none of it got to the mechanic because they called me having fit troubles partway through. By the time I called them back they were finished. They said they used spacers, but it also sounded like they used spacers to take up slack due to the carriage mount issue, but I'm at a loss to explain how that would be possible unless they moved them more than they needed to. So I'm afraid I just don't know what they did. Time will tell if they did it right, or not.

    the thing that jumps out at me, (and I have zero knowledge in this or most other areas) is that you said your spacers were different lengths. Why? That would seem to be a potential reason for imbalance. A driveline shop should be of some help. maybe they can balance it in place, I don't know...

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Gotcha. Thanks for filling me in.
    If you don't mind, I'd like to know the shop you used.
    My current strategy is to call the previa guy in Boulder Colorado Monday and ask him about this topic. I assume he knows how to build and balance a previa frame up.
    Thanks again!
    Jah bless.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending or not recommending the shop I used. They are certainly not known for their Previa or their driveline work, which is not to say that they didn't do a good job. Its just too soon to say. Honestly, this is probably the only one they've ever worked on. They were in Washington state anyway

    Colorado Driveshaft was recommended for Previa rear driveline repair on the yahoo group recently. If you were in northern MN I could recommend a place for previa driveline work...

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    I'm in the bozeman area montana.
    But question: can you clarify what a drive line shop could or would do? I talked to a recommended local drive line balancing shop and they told me they did not have a set up for flex couplers. So that tells me I would remove the Sads shaft and get it balanced with the couplers on.
    As I explained above, I think I'm working with a couple more variables. 1. I may not have reassembled same as came out. 2. And I've moved around the accessory carriage in the front of the vehicle.
    Last question, what service am I seeking to get this balanced out? That's the question I want to pose to the previa restoration guy in Boulder.
    Thank you!

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    I think you are better off getting any additional advice from someone with more specialized knowledge than I have...wish i could help more, I just don't know that much about drivelines. Sorry. I agree that you probably just assembled it in such a way that its causing the issue, but beyond that and seeking help from a specialist i can't say much else. Are you on the yahoo group? https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/previa/info

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Thanks again. 230k on! 94 sc all trac, so gotta keep it going, obviously! Jah bless

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenbahn View Post
    Gotcha. Thanks for filling me in.
    If you don't mind, I'd like to know the shop you used.
    My current strategy is to call the previa guy in Boulder Colorado Monday and ask him about this topic. I assume he knows how to build and balance a previa frame up.
    Thanks again!
    Jah bless.
    Who is the Previa Guy in Boulder? I live in Louisville, CO with Bolder Auto / Phil servicing our Previa since 2014. Bolder Auto closed down 12/31/2019. I was recently referred to Jason at The Automotive Shop in North Boulder (Broadway) - he seems quite nice and knowledgeable on Previa's. Just curious who the local Previa pros are in Boulder, Colorado.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Well, I am unable to find any info for my The Previa Guy in Boulder. Over last couple years when i was looking for my second previa I considered buying from a guy in Boulder that restored previas. He had several immaculate previas listed. I found a killer deal in my town on awd s/c so never followed thru with Boulder guy.
    And I'd assume I could find him online again selling restored previas. But I haven't.
    So I'm call the guy you mentioned above.
    Any other suggestions please?

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    I remember a guy in Colorado who had a quiver of Previas for sale but that was quite a few years ago. Don't know if its the same guy you are thinking or not but haven't seen anything about him in years. I also know of a guy somewhere in CO who has had a bunch of Previas and used to be active on forums but I don't know if they were the same guy.

    I think the yahoo group will be able to help you, if anyone can help without seeing the van in front of them. You may have to take it apart again and put it back together piece by piece showing pictures to make sure you get it right. Have you watched this video? It was done by a member of the yahoo group. It may help jog your memory as to how it came apart and should go back together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPddmvjB3bE

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    That's how I found Phil @ Bolder Auto for work on our Previa - those CL Previas were parked outside Bolder Auto near the Xcel Energy Power Plant on Arapahoe Avenue - found it by looking at the background of the CL photos. Phil did all the mechanical work restoring those CL Previas but that all stopped a few years back. I am trying to do some repairs on our Previa - makes some fun projects with my father to keep us busy while things are slow-ish. Jason @ The Automotive Shop (North Broadway) looked at our Previa and seemed very knowledgeable on Previa's during our conversation - he actually LIKES working on Previas and has owned several over the years. NOTE: There are a few Jasons working at the shop - ask for "Previa Jason". Jamie

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenbahn View Post
    I'm in the bozeman area montana.
    But question: can you clarify what a drive line shop could or would do? I talked to a recommended local drive line balancing shop and they told me they did not have a set up for flex couplers. So that tells me I would remove the Sads shaft and get it balanced with the couplers on.
    As I explained above, I think I'm working with a couple more variables. 1. I may not have reassembled same as came out. 2. And I've moved around the accessory carriage in the front of the vehicle.
    Last question, what service am I seeking to get this balanced out? That's the question I want to pose to the previa restoration guy in Boulder.
    Thank you!

    Did you ever have any luck getting this fixed? You are lucky I wouldn't refer you to the shop that did mine. I had my doubts about them and now it appears they did a very poor job. I had to have the couplers rebolted today after only a few thousand miles.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    no i've not yet resolved the issue.
    i did install BMW couplers and had a nasty shimmy. i've got it pretty good at this point but still sets a good shake at 60+mph and has low power at those speeds. and of course turning on AC clearly drops rpms.
    so i took it to Rising Sun Auto here in bozeman montana. i know Keith to be honest, experienced, and highly competent. he lifted the van and in the end he thinks the rear drive shaft has loose knuckles/joints and that's my problem. he also cites low idle as a problem and low power.
    i disagree with his assessment. van was running fine, started rattling, visual on flex couplers saw they were shot so i replaced them (which i've done in the past on another previa) and currently has same power and idle it's had for the 2 years i've had it.
    so i plan to swap out rear drive shaft from my old previa and see what happens. i also had already purchased gaskets to clean up EGR and IAC system and valves and ports to address CEL and high idle.
    but i'd love for this van to run smooth at 80mph and get that bit of power back! it does fine for around town and 60mph speeds so that's where i'm at.
    i think the rear attachment on the SADs shaft at the engine may be improperly aligned bc i did not clearly mark it at disassembly. the front attachment i did.
    and/or i expect the accessory carriage is out of alignment bc i was moving it around to get the front coupler uninstalled and reinstalled.
    Rising Sun shot me down on either of those ideas.
    i did talk to guy at The Shop in Boulder and he told me to check all drive shafts for loose knuckle ujoints and schedule an appointment.

    any great ideas anybody?!?!?!

    thanks all and Previologist.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    I wouldn't be surprised if its the rear shaft if that staked joint has never been replaced. When mine went bad on one of my previous Previas it caused vibration at highway speed. I hope you get it figured out soon.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    Son a gun!!! That's what the Boulder guy and local guy said! thanks for the reinforcement. fingers crossed i get a good photo eating my hat on this one. Thank you!!

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    In contrast, when my SADS was wobbling because the morons installed it improperly it would vibrate immediately upon starting the van. That doesn't mean a bad SADS will always act that way, but mine did.

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    and after only two weeks, its doing it again...

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    Re: HELP! SADS balancing 1994-97

    I'm happy to say i was apparently wrong. i took it to a no-name shop today and while I don't have great confidence in them (I'm away from home0 the sads looked good to both them and to me. unfortunately they couldn't figure out what is making the noise. I'm getting a rattling when in gear with brakes and ac on. If I put it in neutral or turn off the ac it goes away.

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