Drive Shaft Question

[brianrride]

I did perform a search, but not too much related to my issue...

While doing some PM on my recently acquired 98, with 242k on the clock, I noticed that the rear u joint on the rear drive shaft squeaked, even though I just filled it up with grease. Decided to replace it, went with O'reilly's aftermarket for $17.99 (grease able) - no issues until I drove it. Vibration like it was now out of balance, around 70mph.

Note**before I even removed the shaft, I scribed everything so it's not out of phase.

Since it was vibrating, I decided to replace the front one too...no issues installing it, but it still vibrates around 70mph. Both U joints move freely with absolutely no binding. Filpped yoke 180, still vibrates, just more.

While I was out of town on business, my father took it to a drive shaft shop, they declined the work stating something about they refuse to work on these because of the way they are made...out of round or something equivalent. I wasn't there, but a reputable shop since 1962 declined the job?? Said to buy a new one.

Well, new is like a million dollars and I refuse. I sourced a used one with 179k miles for $125.

Thoughts?? Anyone been down this road before?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TXLX100]

Did you try a toyota u-joint ? 100s are notorious for rejecting non-OEM parts.

 

[labcab]

Search for "u joint vibration". Out-of-balance driveshafts due to non-OEM parts seems to be the recurring theme.

 

[brianrride]

Search for "u joint vibration". Out-of-balance driveshafts due to non-OEM parts seems to be the recurring theme.

Did you try a toyota u-joint ? 100s are notorious for rejecting non-OEM parts.

Wow...silly me didn't find that. I think I was searching "drive shaft" and should have searched "u joint. Lots of similar issues and I agree, looks like OEM is the way to go.

Thanks, I will report back with resolution.

 

[STIGPIG]

Wow...silly me didn't find that. I think I was searching "drive shaft" and should have searched "u joint. Lots of similar issues and I agree, looks like OEM is the way to go.

Thanks, I will report back with resolution.

Are you lifted? I started thinking my driveshaft was having problems because of a vibration I had under throttle. When I let off it would go away. Back on the throttle it would vibrate.

Turned out to be rear upper links. The bushings were worn and allowed the axle to rotate under load and it was binding the u joint up.

 

[brianrride]

Are you lifted? I started thinking my driveshaft was having problems because of a vibration I had under throttle. When I let off it would go away. Back on the throttle it would vibrate.

Turned out to be rear upper links. The bushings were worn and allowed the axle to rotate under load and it was binding the u joint up.

Good to know and thanks. I should have been more specific, my vibes are constant at 70-80 ish, accelerating, decelerating, or in neutral. Didn't do it until ujoint replacement.

 

[STIGPIG]

Good to know and thanks. I should have been more specific, my vibes are constant at 70-80 ish, accelerating, decelerating, or in neutral. Didn't do it until ujoint replacement.

Wondering if its your tires then. Drive line vibrations tend to diminish under lighter loads.

 

[brianrride]

I wish it was...I'm about to replace the tires anyway.

Yeah...this is like a humming, droning, buzzy, type vibration that is unmistakably in the drive line, that came on instantly after ujoint replacement. Unlike a wobble or shimmy created by an unbalanced or bad tire.

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

 

[STIGPIG]

I wish it was...I'm about to replace the tires anyway.

Yeah...this is like a humming, droning, buzzy, type vibration that is unmistakably in the drive line, that came on instantly after ujoint replacement. Unlike a wobble or shimmy created by an unbalanced or bad tire.

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

I still recommend checking upper links. They could be what took out the first u-joint.

 

[Sandroad]

New OEM joints and you'll be good to go. Do all 4 and clean out the slip joints with fresh grease too. It'll be smooth as new.

 

[brianrride]

New OEM Ujoints installed and still vibrating. Unmistakable driveline vibe, and the plot thickens...

Installed OME 864's, which yielded about 4" of lift and now it vibrates under acceleration as well.

**Note: OEM Ujoints installed prior to lift and still vibrated just not under acceleration.**

I am about to pull the rear shaft out again and drive it to rule out front issues. Then back to the drawing board, and will definitely be checking upper/lower links for wear/slop.

 

[Julian Stead]

Check for end play in the cups, the tolerance is zero, you can get different size clips to adjust this so I have read, my front shaft ended up having to much play after changing the u joints, I ended up buying a complete shaft to fix. Also you should balance the driveshaft after U joint replacement. Rear motor/trans mount can give you vibrations like this aswell.

 

[STIGPIG]

I have been chasing this issue as well.

Replaced u joints, UCAs, new tires, balanced 4 times, rack bushings, inner and out TREs, removed both shafts, rear rotors, shocks, springs, etc.

Now I am almost 100℅ sure it is my aftermarket CV shafts.

 

[brianrride]

Check for end play in the cups, the tolerance is zero, you can get different size clips to adjust this so I have read, my front shaft ended up having to much play after changing the u joints, I ended up buying a complete shaft to fix. Also you should balance the driveshaft after U joint replacement. Rear motor/trans mount can give you vibrations like this aswell.

No play...the OEM's are a solid fit. However...the aftermarket's that I tried first had a thinner retainer clip, thus providing a little side to side play. No bueno..they are now in the trash.

Went to two drive shaft shops and got turned around at both. They advised me that they will not work on that particular drive shaft since the tube is friction welded and extremely thin walled. Both shops turned down the work, said it'll never be right. I didn't believe the first shop, hence the second opinion.

Agree with you on the trans mount...that is def on the list. Tks.

 

[brianrride]

UPDATE:

Today...took out rear shaft and drove it. Heavy vibration under acceleration but none at high speed.

Reinstalled rear and removed front drive shaft and drove it. Absolutely no vibration under acceleration, but constant vibration above 50mph.

After realizing I may have lifted the front too high after reindexing my torsion bars, I lowered it about an inch. That SOLVED my acceleration vibration but I still have the constant vibes above 50mph. HMMM

 

[STIGPIG]

The constant vibes are the CVs. I guarantee it.

 

[shibubba]

I have the same issue with my 05. I was paranoid that it was my transmission, after all it is an 05.

Smooth as butter at low speeds, as soon as I hit 50mph + I get a slight vibration. Crawled under to find both CVs are leaking.... I just bought it, and didn't see grease there before, so either it just started or the PO cleaned it before I looked at it.

 

[spressomon]

FWIW 100's (and 80's for that matter...) can be super sensitive to drive-line angles and most appear on suspension lifted trucks. Similar experience here. But in '09, long story so I won't bore you, when I limped into Albuquerque with a wheel bearing & diff set up issue/problem, Onur/aka @beno, @cDan and their mechanic (Aaron IIRC) recommended new rear drive shaft assembly (yoke, d-shaft & u-joints) and that was the smoothest driveline I've ever had...other than when the rig/suspension was completely stock/stock height.

FWIW #2: My driveline vibes started when I had 4.88's installed along with new OEM Toyota u-joints in '06 by a supposed drive line specialty shop in Sacramento. Once we got the original shop's gross incompetence corrected ('09 and beyond) with regard to the differential set ups ...along with new rear drive shaft assembly 90% of the vibes went away.

 

[abuck99]

Installed OME 864's, which yielded about 4" of lift and now it vibrates under acceleration as well.

4" is a lot of lift. When you had the rear prop-shaft off did you happen to measure the pinion angle? If you still have stock upper & lower links (not adjustable) I'll bet its off which will cause your ujoints to complain.

 

[brianrride]

FWIW 100's (and 80's for that matter...) can be super sensitive to drive-line angles and most appear on suspension lifted trucks. Similar experience here. But in '09, long story so I won't bore you, when I limped into Albuquerque with a wheel bearing & diff set up issue/problem, Onur/aka @beno, @cDan and their mechanic (Aaron IIRC) recommended new rear drive shaft assembly (yoke, d-shaft & u-joints) and that was the smoothest driveline I've ever had...other than when the rig/suspension was completely stock/stock height.

FWIW #2: My driveline vibes started when I had 4.88's installed along with new OEM Toyota u-joints in '06 by a supposed drive line specialty shop in Sacramento. Once we got the original shop's gross incompetence corrected ('09 and beyond) with regard to the differential set ups ...along with new rear drive shaft assembly 90% of the vibes went away.

Thanks...Seeing how there were zero vibes before I changed u-joints, long before it was lifted, and constant vibes with front shaft out...I believe I have no choice but to order up a new assembly at this time. Just hard to spend that amount of money on a "hopeful" fix...will see if my buddy that has a non vibrating hundy will let me try his first.