What have I done now?

[Jim_Phillips]

Since fitting new springs I now have a pulsating noise coming from the rear prop shaft / diff.

When I fitted the rear springs I was initially given wrong information and put them on the wrong way round - this meant the axle was positioned 2 inches further towards the rear than it would normally be. It was no easy task to do this and I'm worried I may have buggered up some part of the prop or diff.

The noise comes in above 50 mph and then gets drowned out as I go over 60. It is a regular 'thrupp' sound. (by regular, I mean like the noise you get when a stone gets stuck in your tyre tread) I know the prop shaft was extended to its limit when I moved the axle - could this have caused a problem in the UJ or something like that?

Cheers, Jim

 

[bad_religion_au]

did the drive shaft separate at the spline at all? if so did you ensure it was put back together in phase?

 

[Jim_Phillips]

The drive shaft never came apart - it was stretched. At the point where it elongated I could see bare shiny metal. When I moved the axle back to where it should be it slid back together.

I'm wondering if somehow I bent the prop shaft? That might cause the vibration. Why does it only become noticable above 50mph though? Am I doing any damage to the diff? Maybe I could find a similar prop shaft in a scrap yard and fit it??

 

[folsom50]

You might want to take a look at your u-joints. Before the lift, the drivetrain angles where pretty mild, now that you've gone up 4 inches, the u-joints are being worked pretty hard. Pull your d-shaft and rotate the yokes around all the axis' feel for any bumps, grinds or any slop, even the smallest amount of slop would mean you need new joints.

 

[Jim_Phillips]

That makes sense. I'll look more closely. Is it a difficult job to replace them?

 

[lowtideride]

thats what happened to me.. i thought i had a bad pinion angle so i added shims.. turned out to be after i sprung it over it shown that my u-joiunts were worn and were not liking the new angle of dangle..so i took the shims out and put new u-joints in and the noise/vibration went away..and for the u-joints they are not hard to replace just kind of a pain..a big tabel vice is nice for the job..

 

[TOZOVR]

yeah, Jim, Ujoints will tend to wear in over years of use at a certain angle...you change that angle and it's now noisy...common on the h**ps we see.

 

[Jim_Phillips]

I suppose it is good news that it is nothing more serious. Thanks for the diagnosis. I will look in the FSM this evening and decide if it's a job I can do myself. Will I need replacement UJ's from Toyota or is this a part that I can get anywhere..?

 

[dogboy]

Will I need replacement UJ's from Toyota or is this a part that I can get anywhere..?

OEM is probably the best call on that front. Consider how long the originals have lasted thus far. There is some speculation regarding the quality and longevity of the aftermarket parts, and from my experience, I have yet to see an aftermarket part that is comparable to Toyota in regards to quality save suspension systems and other specialty modification parts.

Just my 2¢ - take it for what it's worth,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[TOZOVR]

I know the FJ-Mantra is OEM, OEM, OEM, but I've had great luck on NEAPCO Brute force joints

 

[Jim_Phillips]

This pic is from SOR but I can take it to my Toyota dealer to order the bits - which numbers / parts do I need? Thanks again ..

 

[fsusteve]

#4 is your ujoint, check your flange bolts sometimes they loosen up on a new lift.

 

[Jim_Phillips]

Well, I got the new UJs. Decided to get the local garage to fit them since I don't have a vise at home. Took the truck in to the garage today - and the mechanic can't do the job. He tells me the 'circlips are on the inside' - Which in his opinion makes it a specialist job and the axle needs to be sent away.

Is he talking bollocks? I'm not UJ specialist but the FSM doesn't show any 'specialist' equipment. Is the UJ on a Land Cruiser so different?

Cheers, Jim

 

[FJ60]

not to my knowledge...the local tire store did mine with no issues ???

 

[lowtideride]

find a friend with a vise and do them yourself...no worries mate..the c-clips are on the out side and can be taken off with a flat head screw driver..clean up the the u-joints nice and good first. makes it easier to see them...and pop em right out..