DriveShaft assembled backwards?! Comments?

[bolivianpimp]

I purchased a Powerhouse driveshaft from a forum group buy about 1 month ago. This weekend we were replacing the clutch and DS at the same time. When we went to install the driveshaft, we noticed that the flanges did not match to what the instructions (and pictures) noted. Flanges have machined fit design to fit snug with the rear end and transmission. The front of the shaft is designated with the black dust boot, while the back is smooth. Well, “front” flange which contains the dust boot fit the rear end and vice versa. With great disappointment, We reassembled the stock shaft since we did not want to install it backwards.

Today, I called Powerhouse and told them about this issue. They simply told me to install it backwards and that there would be no effect what so ever. When I questioned why and that if it was designed to go a certain way with the dustboot in the front then I did not want to install it contrary to original design, they replied that “it has happened before” and that they just installed it backwards. The front side of the shaft seems like it’s a bit heavier than the rear, or it might just be perception. Would mounting the shaft backwards negatively affect performance? Have you ever heard/seem the shaft assembled backwards? What would you do in this situation?

 

[Mishri]

I would have just tried it, whats the worst that can happen? massive vibration? since they said its fine then i'd just do it. You wont notice much of a performance gain form it, just very slight throttle response being better and possibly losing tractoin earlier in the rpms than before (atleast thats what i noticed) so as long as it doesn't feel worse than your stock one you should be okay.

 

[bolivianpimp]

Well we didnt install it because we didnt know if it would "void the warranty" and them not replace it because it was used. I wish we would have tried it now, but didnt know if there might be any negative effects.

 

[Mishri]

Ahh yep I can understand that.

 

[19COBRA93]

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work either way. It should be fine.

 

[gil_t2]

No big deal, some D/S company's prefer the boot be at the rear.

 

[bolivianpimp]

My issue is that the shaft is not a perfect metal rod with the same dimensions on both ends. The instructions and their website say specifically that the dust boot should go on the top by the transmission, but now my dustboot would be lower by the rear end. I am no engineer , but wouldnt the dust boot create tension depending on where its located? There will be more pressure on the boot being lower in height and could perhaps create a bad angle?

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dmustang%2Bpowerhouse%2Bdriveshaft%26ei%3Dutf-8%26fr%3Dslv8-hpd04&w=640&h=480&imgurl=www.modularfords.com%2Fforums%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D24464%26amp%3Bstc%3D1%26amp%3Bd%3D1148076271&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modularfords.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%2F52106-Powerhouse-Drive-Shaft-and-Safety-Loop&size=136KB&name=Powerhouse+Drive...&p=mustang+powerhouse+driveshaft&oid=6cd1ea21f953fc9024b4fec26bd58e63&fr2=&no=8&tt=278&sigr=12uekj57f&sigi=12o7hilui&sigb=133cpq7v0&.crumb=Od6gKMkWLNq

 

[gil_t2]

No difference, the angle is almost the same on both ends. If you want to be picky, due to parasitic loss, you will have less pressure on the joint with it at the rear. If you are not happy pop the flanges off and swap them, that simple. BTW i do have one of these D/S's and i have modified mine.

 

[bolivianpimp]

No difference, the angle is almost the same on both ends. If you want to be picky, due to parasitic loss, you will have less pressure on the joint with it at the rear. If you are not happy pop the flanges off and swap them, that simple. BTW i do have one of these D/S's and i have modified mine.

Your driveshaft also came with the flanges on the wrong ends? Did you simply swap out the flanges or did you run it with the wrong end? I will call them again tomorrow and see if they would warranty the driveshaft with that modification. I would just hate to be the one whose driveshaft spoils and then they dont want to honor the warranty.

 

[rojizostang]

i've had mine frontwards, backwards, and sideways trying to eliminate vibrations. it just needs a slip joint somewhere, either the front or the back, it doesn't really make any difference.

i take it the issue with your is it's made to work with the stock pinion flange/cv joint flange and they put it on the slip end instead of the other end?

it really should make any difference.

 

[texasmustang65]

I have the powerhouse DS in backwards right now, there are no problems. I was in on the same group buy. When my arrived I called powerhouse and they said no poblems just as long as there is a slip joint it doesnt matter front or rear. I was also told the one reason they put the joint towards the front is the smaller diameter of the shaft helps with clearance with some shifters.

 

[AlloyGT]

I have a Shaftmaster, and my slip joint is mounted to the rear. It's been that way for four years, and I haven't had a problem. When we installed it I was following a write-up that I found somewhere, and that guy had mounted his to the rear. I found out later that it was backwards, but it doesn't vibrate, so what the hell. I left it that way.

 

[702GT]

I also got a powerhouse d/s in that same group buy, currently in the middle of installing it. I really don't care which end goes where, as long as it works and I can spray the ever-loving piss out of it and drop it from 6k all day. The instructions showing it being end specific is just bad form IMO. Shouldn't sell it one way and tech it the other. Otherwise you end up with paranoid customers wondering if you pulled the rug out from under them.