ABSOLUTELY start there. 11 times out of 10 that's what the issue is.

And even if it is something else, undoubtedly the affected tire will be... affected anyway.

Jack it up and see if it (they) wobble on rotation, or if they're out of round.

Editorial comment: There have been a few mentions of "death wobble". When it happens, unless you feel like you're going to die, it's not "death wobble".

 

I will be more specific once I pull it out in the morning. I have no reason to believe the man is lying to me when he drove it, put it on the lift and found the front drive shaft is having problems at no charge to me.
“Spent” was my word to describe it.
From what I understand there are two U joints and a ball in what they call a double carden joint. You can imagine what could go wrong here.
Also, the drive shaft could have some play on the back of the Dana 30 which would require removal, diagnosis and repair.
I’ll leave my findings here tomorrow.

 

Totally agree on your death wobble explanation. I do not have the death wobble. I’m not concerned for my life when it happens and if I had dentures they wouldn’t fly out of my mouth.
As far as the tire balance I think I’m okay there but won’t rule it out. As mentioned before when I neglected to tighten my lug nuts and the wheel came flying off in the driveway where I work, it rolled in a straight line and came to rest still on the treads, did not fall over lol 😂

 

From what I understand there are two U joints and a ball in what they call a double carden joint. You can imagine what could go wrong here.

This is what I'm telling you, driveshaft components can be replaced, it's 3 ujoints, and that ball component. You can buy them together in a kit.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Front-...26.m5232.l9681

 

Yes I am aware of this. If this is the issue and he has a used one with good U joints etc “for free” I can save the hassle and money for another time.
I will post my findings tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for your comments!

 

I finally got around to this today and have already halted the operation due to insufficient tools. The pic shows my dilemma of not being able to use the socket and wrench because there’s not enough room. I’m using a 1/4” socket and wrench set with an 8mm socket.
I tried the 8mm open ended wrench and rounded the corners of one bolt head. Now I have to figure out how to get that out along with how to get the rest of them out. I have a 1/2” swivel but no 1/4” swivel.
this is the drive end connecting to the transfer case. I’m able to get the bolts off the front end and have two loose already.

Any ideas?

 

It's actually connected to your transfer case, just saying

 

Thanks so much 😂

 

Okay so I’m at my wits end. I used a series of 1/4” extensions, got a good bite on the bolt but started rounding corners again.
Does anyone have any reason to believe these bolts are not 8mm? I have seen that is what they are but I’m not having any luck with these rear end bolts. The front were 8mm.
Thanks ahead

 

If I take the bolts out on the front end of the drive shaft, will I be able to just slide the backside out/off of the transfer case??

 

See if a good quality 5/16 6-pt. socket gives you a tighter fit. Might also want to apply some heat to the area (not the bolt itself)?

 

I suppose I could try it but I see on some YouTube videos people take the four bolts out of the front of the drive and pull the rear end off the transfer case.
Is this correct? If so I can worry about the rear bolts after the thing is pulled out completely.

 

5/16 worked on 3 of the four bolts. Good call.
Now, that leaves me with the one rounded bolt head.
I detached the front and am just hangin by that one bolt. Funny thing though there’s no play or looseness with 3 out of 4 bolts out.

 

I’m starting to think about entertaining the idea of trying to cut the bolt head off but I might chew up a little of the transfer case collar (?) the drive shaft is bolted to

 

Can you file it down to make it a 9/32?