FJ62 Ujoint question

[Sorry Dog]

I'm chasing highway speed vibrations in my 89 62. I wanted to try u-joints first since they are the cheapest and it only happened at certain speeds so I hoped it is that.

Anyway - I pulled the driveshaft this weekend but my little vise couldn't budge'em out so I took it to a local shop to get out. The guy there was using a large c-clip type tool with an air wench cranking on it but they still weren't coming out easily. I left and picked it up later. I later noticed that he put one of the flanges on reversed from where I marked. Also, on that end, one of the directions of the joint is quite a bit stiffer than the other way and the other joint (these are Toyota parts). I couldn't see any reason why it would be stiffer.

These vibration is much better, however, it is not completely gone, but it could be just somewhere else. However, I could not detect any side to side or forward and back play on either the TC output or the pinion flange.

Should I get the U-joint reinstalled and anybody have any thoughts on the vibrations?

 

[FJ60]

Did you do a lift or change shackles and then the problem started???

 

[Sorry Dog]

Stock everything but stereo
I got the truck at 85k and it had gradually gotten worse over the last 10K miles (but I could usually find a happy medium around 75 where it wasn't so bad).
It's a lot better now and only really notice any significant vibrations under throttle now. It might be the motor doing those vibrations since I notice it more at 2000 to 2500 rpm, but I can't really tell.

BTW- there was also a small amount of gear oil trapped in the inside cup of the transfer case flange. Is this normal? How difficult should the the new joint be to rotate back and forth by hand?
I could live with it but it kinda bugs me that it's not at smooth as my friends 80 that has more miles.

 

[FJ60]

if there wasn't gear oil and tranny fluid coating the underside of my FJ60 I'de think something was horribly wrong

Check your motor mounts and get a tire rotation and alignment, I've had vibrations after a tire rotation that drove me nuts until I rotated them back. Sounds alot like a bent rim or something similar though.

A 80 series might not be a fair comparison for ride quality, what wheel and tire combination are you running???

 

[Ming89FJ62]

When you replaced the u-joints did you check the out-put bearings on the T/C? Had a nasty vibration only in 4WD and found that the aftermarket U-joint was a POS and that the T/C bearing had crapped out also.

Ming

 

[Sorry Dog]

Stock rims but I don't think that is it since the vibration (and resonation noise from the back) changes slightly depending on if it is coasting, no load, or driving.

When I had the shaft out, I tried to wiggle the TC output and pinion flange but both seemed pretty tight. If the TC bearing was bad would you be able to tell by rocking by hand on the output flange?
I'd like to rule out the U-joints but since one of the new ones I put back in was real stiff in one direction, I wonder if that is keeping it out of whack.

I know the front driveshaft or U-joints are way out of whack but I haven't fixed that yet since I rarely go over 30 mph in 4, but can the front shaft free wheel a little even when not engaged?

Maybe I just need to take the back shaft to a shop and have the balance checked. Anybody know the typical cost for that?

 

[FJ60]

I did a retube and balance on my FJ40 rear shaft... *scratching noggin* seems like the retube was around $80.00 and the balance was around $50.00. I think Birmingham Spring did the balance for me, I'll dig up the receipts if you decide to go this route.

you might want to consider letting one of the local 4x4 shops diagnose it for you, the rear ring and pinion on my FJ60 made horrible noises when the pinion bearing went bad and I kept driving till the gears died :'(

 

[Sorry Dog]

you might want to consider letting one of the local 4x4 shops diagnose it for you

You're probably right. I've begun to notice a bit of vibration coasting from 40 to 30. Something just "feels" out of balance-- like a tire out of balance but much faster. I know where Bham spring is- I just wanted to get an idea of how much. Thanks