New passenger side half-shaft lacks "harmonic balancer"?

[bobstad]

I've purchased a new half-shaft to replace one with a cracked c-v joint cover that has lasted about 60,000 miles already that way; so am wondering why the new half-shaft, the long one on the passenger side, doesn't have a harmonic balancer? Do I need to try to change the one over from the old shaft?

I'm going to change a bad ball joint, is the reason I'm doing the half-shaft now; though if I'd been thinking, I may've tried to jury-rig something to keep dust & crud out of the c-v joint with the cracked cover, so wonder if that would've been feasible?

A shop made me change the driver side one before they'd do an alignment, which also had a cracked dust cover; or that one probably would still be functional too, is a theory. I wonder how long those things can last if cracked? No doubt environment must make a difference, so perhaps the wet northwest climate is a factor in longevity?

[Bert]

Harmonic balancer? I thought that rubber wheel half-way down the long shaft was a 'bumper' for situations when your average automotive bonehead blindly kept driving with a ruined driveaxle knocking in every direction until it finally flew apart and nearly killed somebody.

[crazyrog17]

You can replace the boot itself, not really the best way to go but the new glue together boots are significantly better. My replacement passenger side CV shaft came without a balancer, no shakes up to 95mph.

[bobstad]

Tanx!

My replacement passenger side CV shaft came without a balancer, no shakes up to 95mph.

I was kind of figuring that if sold without, they must work pretty good. Nice to have a second opinion.

[bobstad]

No doubt environment must make a difference, so perhaps the wet northwest climate is a factor in longevity?

I'm thinking the near constant rains must wash away a good deal of dust, while the relatively mild maritime winters keep salt from being commonly used nearly all of the time.

[bobstad]

Mitzoff

Harmonic balancer? I thought that rubber wheel half-way down the long shaft was a 'bumper' for situations when your average automotive bonehead blindly kept driving with a ruined driveaxle knocking in every direction until it finally flew apart and nearly killed somebody.

Actually, an adaptation of a device meant for pianists whose left hand playing is underdeveloped.