Front shaft play

Still trying to hunt down driveline noise. Should there be this much play in the front shaft?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quOFiI7WMZw&feature=youtu.be

 

Shouldn't make a difference if you leave the hubs unlocked? Do you have free wheeling hubs?

 

slip joint worn out . noise in 2wd or 4wd

 

Different noises in both...trying to track down 2wd noise, but just happened to notice how sloppy the front shaft was.

 

just a guess . if it sounds like gear noise it could be intermediate Shaft in transfer case

 

Can it be changed without removing the case? Is #17 the part?

 

"Should there be this much play in the front shaft?"

No. Definitely FTD. (fixin' to die)

A commercial driveshaft shop can repair this for not much money.

 

That's excessive. Pull the driveshaft out and drive it, see if noise goes away. Either way, that shaft needs repaired or replaced.

 

Would this be the correct replacement?

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/sliding-yoke-for-front-rear-driveshaft-909213.html

 

That's half of it. The other part of the driveshaft is splined to slip inside that yoke and, should also be replaced. The driveshaft shop should be able to do that for you. They will cut off the old splined end and replace it. It may be just as easy to have them do the whole job and provide "matching" parts from the same manufacturer. That's up to you.

 

That will replace the sliding yoke but won't fix wear on the male splined end. Options: find a good used propellor shaft (driveshaft) the right length, or take yours to a driveline shop and replace the slip yoke assembly. The male splined portion is welded to the driveshaft tube and needs to be true.


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Actually, this thing was just lengthened by our local driveshaft shop (part of my fiasco with the local transmission guy) It's a '65 CJ, but had been retrofitted with a later rear, centered differential. Trans guy thought the noise was being caused by the angle between the T-18 and centered differential. He had a D20, so he installed it. I guess that required lengthening of the front shaft, as it now has a piece of cold rolled steel welded between the two yokes. Curious why they didn't say anything about the sliding yoke. $600 later, now makes different noise AND leaks.

 

So, you're running a dana 20 transfer case and a centered rear diff? Is that right? And, I would not go back to the same shop that didn't notice/mention the condition of that driveshaft.

 

The length of the front shaft would not have changed by simply changing from an 18 to a 20 transfer case. No length mods needed there. I could see the rear changing.
On the vibration, take an angle finder and check the universal joint angle on both ends of the rear driveshaft. Should be the same on both ends and well under 7 degrees. Also make sure the yokes are in phase, the u joints in good condition, and no play in the slip yoke.


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Yes...Dana 20 and centered rear differential. I'm guessing I prolly ought to go ahead and just buy a new front driveshaft if I can find the right length.

 

Thanks Nick...don't really have a vibration issue as much as a "rattly" sound when in 3rd. There is no noise when transfer case disengaged and shifting through all 3 gears. Will check the angles when I get off work tomorrow.

Thanks

 

Let me guess, happens when not really under load? Sounds like transmission or transfer case is rattling real bad? If so these are symptoms of rear driveline vibrations. Transfers up through the output of the transfer case into the tranmsission and really shows up when under "float" conditions, neither on the gas or compression slowing (engine braking). Most commonly heard in direct drive (3rd in a 3 speed transmission).

 

Exactly!!!

 

Dr. Nick is on the case! "Pay attent', I say, pay attention, son."