I just pulled the driveshaft and noticed a few things. When I twisted the shaft there is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of play in the differential gears. Closer to 1/8. I'm not sure it that's acceptable or not. There was no play up and down or in and out. The front u-joint is acting a little funny. There is a little resistance when I get to the center position when I move the spline from side to side. When I get past the center position it loosens up again. It's not a serious binding just a slight resistance. Again, I'm not sure if this is acceptable or not. The tailshaft bushing seems to be in place from what I can tell.
Update on Pete's vibration problem
- Thread starter Pete W
- Start date
A standard type U joint (as opposed to a double cv type) should not have any binds anywhere in the movement so this could be part of your problem. 1/4 to 1/8" seems like a lot of play for the ring gear. Are you sure its just the ring gear? That would be normal if its everything including the ring, spiders, and splines on the drive shafts. With the diff in the car and the type that does not have a cover it may be hard to tell where the slop is.
I went out and checked the front u joint again and one way it flops around freely and the other way I have to move it with my hand. Leaning the shaft over won't move the ujoint in that direction like tho other side. I don't know if this is causing the vibration or not. It would be nice if it was.(<:
That does sound like it has an issue. A new joint will not flop around at all in the end of the shaft from normal ish movement, if you drop it on the ground it will move but just swinging it around the grease and seals will keep it from moving. A used one will flop around but should do it the same in all directions. If thats a press in style they can be damaged by pressing them in wrong or the yoke can be messed up from removing them wrong. I fought with one on a F150 and it did never work right again so when I needed another one I took it to an old timer shop and it took him 10 seconds and a hammer on the side of the bench to remove them and about 3 minutes with a press to put the new one in and that one is still working fine. Id guess he had done that a few times before in his lifetime....
