From the above post -
"Yep... I had a well known company make a shaft
for me and it turned out to be junk.. was .040
out of true and the balance was way off.. cost
me another $350 to get another from another
company.. now all I use is Dynotech.. they are
local so I can pick it up the next day.. you
wouldnt think .040 is much but it is"
Check a late model Dodge service manual - for a truck prop shaft - .010" is max at the weld ends and .015" in the center. That's for a truck running down the road - 2000 - 3000 rpm.
Now spin that prop shaft at engine speed down the track - 6500 and above.
Yep, just went through this and mine was .008-.010 out and at 6000 r's and above it was a rattlin scary ride and now is glass smooth past 7000 where I lifted. Balanced and straight make a HUGH difference whatever the material...........Mine is a 3 1/2" CM piece FWIW and was balanced to 3200+ rpm's.........