Possible source of driveline vibration! Please look. Thanks

[mudholestomper]

I purchased a 97 Cruiser a couple weeks ago and it came with a not so nice vibration. I was under it today and snapped a couple pics. Possible causes are front DS u-joint or center diff mount. Please take a look and tell me what you think. The center diff mounting screw appears like it's not screwed all the way in. I attempted to turn it with no luck. Also the rear u joint of the front DS appears to be broken. What do you all think?

 

[greentruck]

Yeah, that U-joint looks like toast. Was this "running" condition? Making noise? You'd think.

The mount is normal, I think. Never really looked at mine before, but that's a lot like what it looks like. Mine is neater looking, but it's seen very little trail time (so far....).

 

[mudholestomper]

Thanks greentruck, I'm gonna pull the front shaft tonight. How long can I drive around without the front shaft installed?

 

[greentruck]

As long as you want. You do need to be able to lock the CDL or you'll just sit there. There are relevant threads here on how to do that, depending on the year of your 80. For the 97, you need a switch to plug into the harness in the dash that controls the CDL.

 

[Tools R Us]

The vibration damper gap is normal.

The u-joint is ! Doesn't look like it was ever greased? As long as the CDL is locked, can be driven forever with only one shaft. If you don't have the button, lock the CDL by; shifting low range to lock, remove the Diff Fuse, shift high and drive. To unlock, simply replace the diff fuse.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

That vibration dampner is normal. Basically it's job is to cancel out vibrations of the drivetrain.

 

[mudholestomper]

How do I turn the drive shaft to get to the top bolts? I have two bolts removed but cannot get the ds to turn. Please help, im in the middle of this now. thanks

 

[bigredmachine]

put the trans in nutral and set the p-brake

 

[mudholestomper]

Wow what a bitch for a noobie. Guess im gettin old for this sh*t. Well I finally got it off. I will post pics of the broken spider tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I love mud!

 

[DiscoveredLC]

A good shop will rebuild the shaft for a fair price. Keep it greased and it will last a long time.

Lucky you caught that bearing in time!

 

[mudholestomper]

Took the Cruiser up to Wally World and it's runnin down the road smooth as silk! Thanks to everyone, saved me $60 diagnostic fee at Toyota. Now I just gotta get the u joint for cruiserdan and get it installed. Probably should go ahead and order the cdl switch as well.

 

[greentruck]

Keep in mind you don't actually need the official CDL switch. It's not cheap. I believe several other switches offer the same functionality and can be picked up on the cheap from the pick and pull parts outfits. Search for the threads on CDL mod that refer to it for proper part #s.