I have had a vibration or "bounce" between about 45 and 60 for a while now. I ran over an 18-wheeler tread a while back that went right up the middle of the truck and out the back. Couldn't help it, had a big load and didn't want to lose the whole truck because of a tread. I started feeling this vibration later and can't remember if it started right after the tread incident or not. Too long ago and I just can't remember. I though it was U-joints. Had both changed, no help. Went to a mech. who found three dents in the aluminum drive shaft. Has anyone else had this problem?? If so, did a steel replacement work or is that too long of a run for a steel drive shaft? I have a 4 door short bed with the one-piece aluminum shaft. I have heard others saying that they have steel with a slip joint and a carrier bushing in the middle. WAY too much $$$ to do all of that. Should I try to find a replacement aluminum from a junk yard or let them build me a shaft out of steel? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The cheapest solution would probably be to have a local driveline shop replace the aluminum tube of your current shaft.

have it rebalanced

ditto on both of the above. Check with a drivetrain shop and see what they recommend. Most likely they'll want to replace the tube. Dents can not only throw it out of balance, but weaken the structure of the tube.

Well, just got back from drive line shop. They said that the dents were so small that it wasn't worth worrying about. The problem was that the guys over at Meinike screwed up the ends of the drive shaft when they replaced my U-joints. The drive shaft specilaist said that it is pretty easy to do on these aluminum shafts. It was causing both U-joints to bind. I told the guys at Meinike that it seemed worse after they got finished and they told me to check the rear end. That was a load of BS!!! I got the U-joint problem straightened out and now there is no vibration or bounce at all. Maybe just an extremely small hint of a vibration but my tires are due for balance and rotate in the next 250 miles and I'm sure they need it. I am extremely happy to report two things: One... My vibration problem is gone!!! And two... I FINALLY found a good mechanic who cares about his work AND his reputation!!! Good times are to be had by all!!!!!!!! ):h