Rattle in Driveshaft

[jhstatts]

Could a rattle in the driveshaft (or UV Joints) be caused by insufficient lubrication? Or does a rattle automatically mean the UV Joints or driveshaft needs to be replaced?

If I can fix my rattle with a little grease, I'd be happy. If not, I am prepared to do whatever I need to do.

Thanks!

 

[swank60]

I'm thinking a grease job is one of the most neglected bits of maintenance there is. Might want to hit everything while you're under there...

Thing is, if you're getting a rattle, that says to me you've got some wear. A repack might buy you 6 months or a year, but you'll probably need to replace the ujoints. (anytime I've had to mess with ujoints, and it's been a long time, the end caps/bearings were a very, very tight fit.)

 

[Jim_Phillips]

Give the u joints a good squirt of grease. Be careful if you are greasing the spline - it is difficult for excess grease to escape. If you keep pumping in the grease it acts like a hydraulic ram and the prop cannot compress as it should.

 

[dogboy2]

is it a noise (rattle) or a physical vibration? noise may be lack of grease whereas the vibration and/or noise could signal worn parts.

get underneath the truck and grab the driveline at the u-joints. put a hand on either yoke and then turn your hands in opposing directions, back and forth -- if you feel slop or play, your joints are probably toast. do the same with the slip joint -- there shouldn't be any play and if so, the splines on the driveshaft are worn. a good driveline shop can "swap" the slip joint from the front driveline for the one on the rear (which receives less wear unless you drive in 4H a lot), rebalance both shafts, and pop new ujoints in for you.

replacing ujoints is not mechanically challenging but it is a major PITA and time consuming without the right tools. an arbor press with a large throat opening is extremely helpful but the job can be done with a hand held sledge hammer, impact sockets, a pair of Vise Grips, and a good buddy to hold the driveshaft while you knock the old bearings out. the field service manual in conjunction with the Haynes manual, does a good job of describing the proceedure.

you might also check the status of your pinion nut on the rear differential -- see if it's loose as this can cause vibration/rattle/noise too

HTH,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[jhstatts]

dogboy... right now it is just a noise (rattle). Thanks for the advice.