im having issues with my front driveshaft, where the shaft meets the yoke connecting to the front axle. there is alot of play there, and i can slightly rotate it maybe quarter of an inch each way approx. i can feel a slight thump as if it when the shaft rotates it hits something (best way to describe it i know its not hitting anything just loose) my question is where should i look first to fix this issue? from what i can tell my shaft is fine as well as the ujoint its the yoke im worried about? what should i check? what would i need to replace etc? thanks for any help thoughts or opinions if someone thinks the issue is something else.

 

Sounds like a rebuild is in order. Haven't done it but need to. My d.s. slaps my exhaust at speed. Anyone know where to get seals etc for these things??? Awww hell I prob just need a new one.

 

Hold the yoke. Then try and spin the DS. If it spins its the U joint.

U joints are way more common than eating front ends.

 

Did not quite comprehend.... do what now.... hold the yoke like pinion?? What yoke we talkin? At the cardan?

 

how would i hold the yoke and where about would be best place, pics would help a bunch for this as im learning everything as i go. my wallets learning too (the hard way)

 

The idea is to isolate the movement/play in the u joints. If you prevent movement where the DS goes into the front diff, between the diff and U joint, then try and move the drive shaft you can tell if the u joint is giving.

I'm about to crawl under mine to get a better explination, cuz I'm doing this from memory.


OK

Back.

Now lemme make ANOTHER post.

 

Alright, you can clearly see the yoke coming out of your front diff. It'll be the Y shaped thing, grab it at the base closest to the diff.

Then grab your front DS and try to spin it both directions. Don't let the yoke on the side closest to the diff move.

If you get any play, you prolly need a new U joint.

If not...well, we'll move from there.

 

ok, can i do this by hand? or need something with better grip like a adjustable wrench?

 

Hope I'm not hijacking but my joints are good. He slip joint has a ton of.play. I thought maybe its too short. It rides about 60% extension so I figured it was good.... as long as you can hold the pinion yoke firmly in one hand and wiggle the d.s. in the other you'll be able to feel if there is play or if its tight

 

I just checked mine by hand.

Although, if they are slightly going bad, by hand may not be enough.

You may have to look into other diagnostic procedures if you don't find play by hand.

 

Pic.

 

could the length be my issue as well? im running a 6.5" LA kit with stock front shaft and tom woods rear shaft? or should we still focus on the joint vs the yoke.

 

ok it just started raining out pretty hard and i dont have a garage so i cant check till the am pending the rain stops.

 

Would have been good to know at first.

This gets moved to Advanced since your lifted.

Length could very well be an issue.

Are you using stock driveshaft?

 

my apologies. (i thought since it was a stock part to put it in OEM didnt think bc rig is lifted to put in advanced) but yes the front shaft is the stock shaft from my 99 and like i said running tom woods in the rear at 33" idk if that matters or not.