Drivetrain clunk/thunk solved - fj80 fzj80 hdj81

[dan1554]

Just thought Id throw my success up here for guys searching the forum/google.

When letting off the throttle I would get a solid clunk. While diagnosing a loose bearing I saw that the birfield splines had worn and were knife-edged. Same with the drive flange. Needless to say there was a lot of slop, especially if it gets compounded between both sides.

Ordered some new birfields and flanges from @cruiseroutfit and it has been smooth sailing. Heres a shot of the old birf.

 

[paulzak]

Just thought Id throw my success up here for guys searching the forum/google.

When letting off the throttle I would get a solid clunk. While diagnosing a loose bearing I saw that the birfield splines had worn and were knife-edged. Same with the drive flange. Needless to say there was a lot of slop, especially if it gets compounded between both sides.

Ordered some new birfields and flanges from @cruiseroutfit and it has been smooth sailing. Heres a shot of the old birf.

View attachment 1842556

That was my experience as well with my '92 FJ-80.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great news!

 

[COYS]

Gotta love it when you fix something that's so annoying!

 

[Tools R Us]

Gotta love it when you fix something that's so annoying!

You mean like walking when they strip? I would categorize that as annoying! If you know to do so, can lock the CDL to make it go again with stripped flanges.

On the early rigs, upgrading the birf and flange to the later long spline type is best. If the birf is not too warn, can just upgrade the flange and retain the birf with a big washer and bolt.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

You mean like walking when they strip? I would categorize that as annoying! If you know to do so, can lock the CDL to make it go again with stripped flanges.

On the early rigs, upgrading the birf and flange to the later long spline type is best. If the birf is not too warn, can just upgrade the flange and retain the birf with a big washer and bolt.

Yup, this bolt/washer

 

[TomOsborne]

Yup, this bolt/washer

View attachment 1842590

Man I did not know there was a trick for the newer flange and older birfs. I flipped my birfs and bought new "old" flanges. Not much invested but I would have tried this. Next time around it will be new birfs so I missed my window of opportunity.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Man I did not know there was a trick for the newer flange and older birfs. I flipped my birfs and bought new "old" flanges. Not much invested but I would have tried this. Next time around it will be new birfs so I missed my window of opportunity.

The bolt/washer is not ideal on a full-time 80 Series in my opinion. The washer can still leave the bird a little in/out wiggle room which can cause other wear. On a part time truck it's a decent option imo.

 

[Tools R Us]

The bolt/washer is not ideal on a full-time 80 Series in my opinion. The washer can still leave the bird a little in/out wiggle room which can cause other wear. On a part time truck it's a decent option imo.

I agree, the ideal way is to upgrade all of it. But is a good way to get more life out of and otherwise good birf. Know of several that have gone long term that way, without issue. On one we machined a cupped washer to get the correct end float. Don't know that it was worth it, the slightly excessive play doesn't seem to matter?

Now,, if you carried the later plate in aftermarket, like the early, it would be a better fix.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I agree, the ideal way is to upgrade all of it. But is a good way to get more life out of and otherwise good birf. Know of several that have gone long term that way, without issue. On one we machined a cupped washer to get the correct end float. Don't know that it was worth it, the slightly excessive play doesn't seem to matter?

Now,, if you carried the later plate in aftermarket, like the early, it would be a better fix.

Like these?? I literally just loaded them into the computer, part# HUBFLG60040AFT, Joint Fuji, made in Osaka, Japan. Great quality, same manufacture we've used for a few decades on other drive flanges, pinion flanges, steering kits, etc. Unfortunately the prices isn't a huge discount but they are over $20 cheaper and pre-painted black whereas the stock ones are bare steel. Odd as other Joint-Fuji stuff comes bare and the OE manufacture variant comes painted

Versus the stock option FWIW

 

[Tools R Us]

Like these?? I literally just loaded them into the computer, part# HUBFLG60040AFT, Joint Fuji, made in Osaka, Japan. Great quality, same manufacture we've used for a few decades on other drive flanges, pinion flanges, steering kits, etc. Unfortunately the prices isn't a huge discount but they are over $20 cheaper and pre-painted black whereas the stock ones are bare steel. Odd as other Joint-Fuji stuff comes bare and the OE manufacture variant comes painted

View attachment 1842873

Versus the stock option FWIW

View attachment 1842874

Nice! Agree, all of the Joint Fuji stuff that I have used has been good stuff, top shelf.