Play in drive shaft...normal?

[rc51kid]

I removed my rear drive shaft to replace the u joints. They are original with 330,000 on them. The u joints feel ok, smooth and tight. But there is a little back and forth (rotational) play in the shaft in the splines. Is this normal? It is just enough that I can feel it and see a little movement.

 

[Bogart]

I hope so…….

 

[Bogart]

All jokes aside, I’m told it’s normal

 

[Bogart]

Apparently there is a bit of slack engineered into all the tolerances in the drive train to avoid binding. In the right situations that is why we get that clunk as all the slack comes out at once

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Normal. Pump some more grease in and the slack will minimize.

 

[jonheld]

There should be zero rotational play in the slip yolks.

 

[rc51kid]

There should be zero rotational play in the slip yolks.

So how is this addressed? I would assume try to find a lower milage used drive shaft?

 

[77mustard40]

Just replaced mine last week with a new one, $351 from the dealer.

 

[LandLocked93]

So how is this addressed? I would assume try to find a lower milage used drive shaft?

Is the yoke where the play is? Or just t-case to front/rear axle?

 

[jonheld]

So how is this addressed? I would assume try to find a lower milage used drive shaft?

It depends on your tolerance for vibration.
Worn slip yolks manifest as a vibration at speed in that sweet spot between acceleration and deceleration when there is little load on the yolk splines. The 2 halves will tend to flop around and cause a vibration. Adding grease would only be a temporary fix, depending on the amount of wear.
IME, it's best to replace the shaft with new as most driveline shops will use Spicer yolks and universals. I've not had good luck with those products.

 

[rc51kid]

Just replaced mine last week with a new one, $351 from the dealer.

Is that for a new assembled unit with u joints? If so that's not as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[BILT4ME]

Is that for a new assembled unit with u joints? If so that's not as bad as I thought it would be.

Yes.

 

[BILT4ME]

It depends on your tolerance for vibration.
Worn slip yolks manifest as a vibration at speed in that sweet spot between acceleration and deceleration when there is little load on the yolk splines. The 2 halves will tend to flop around and cause a vibration. Adding grease would only be a temporary fix, depending on the amount of wear.
IME, it's best to replace the shaft with new as most driveline shops will use Spicer yolks and universals. I've not had good luck with those products.

Yokes
Not
Yolks

 

[BILT4ME]

It depends on your tolerance for vibration.
Worn slip yolks manifest as a vibration at speed in that sweet spot between acceleration and deceleration when there is little load on the yolk splines. The 2 halves will tend to flop around and cause a vibration. Adding grease would only be a temporary fix, depending on the amount of wear.
IME, it's best to replace the shaft with new as most driveline shops will use Spicer yolks and universals. I've not had good luck with those products.

Yokes
Not
Yolks

 

[rc51kid]

Thanks guys. I got it together with the new u joints I had. I had the u joints sitting around as spairs for a few years. I will probably just install it and see if i have any noticable vibes. The play is slight. If it gives me vibes I will order a new shaft. This one would make a killer trail spair with the new OEM u joints. Maybe I will keep it or sell it.

 

[whereischadjones]

Not trying to start a fight, but what do most people use for driveshaft/u-joint grease these days? Thanks.

 

[jonheld]

Yokes
Not
Yolks

Ohhh. You're right. Sorry about that, Chief.

 

[bigredmachine]

Not trying to start a fight, but what do most people use for driveshaft/u-joint grease these days? Thanks.

whatever is in my grease gun at the moment, right now its red grease so thats what theyll get. any grease is better than none, i think that the rm calls for black moly grease

 

[77mustard40]

Is that for a new assembled unit with u joints? If so that's not as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[rc51kid]

Deleated this post, was a stupid idea