Driveshaft question, please help!

[Darrman]

I just pulled the rear driveshaft to replace the u joints, but I noticed I am getting a solid clicking noise whenever I rotate the two peices (at the boot) in opposite directions, sounds like the splines are loose fitting. Is this normal, or is it screwed up? Thanks!

 

[IZwack]

re-grease the slip-yoke since you already have it out.

but are you sure the clicking is at the yoke? cauz typically it will click either at the transfer case or at the differential.

 

[Darrman]

Its at the the boot, where it flexes in or out. I have the driveshaft out of the car, and I am twisting the two sections by hand and getting this noise.

 

[IZwack]

okay - regrease the splines.

 

[Darrman]

Ok, after much cursing, I finally have the driveshaft rebuilt. I regreased the slip yoke splines, and it took away the loose clicking, but in the process, I noticed that one of the splines on the socket side of the assembly, has beed ground almost completly away. No other damage, even to the splines on either side of the bad one, I almost thought it was intentional, but I can see bits and crumbs of the metal down in the bottom. Is this supposed to be like this, its just weird that thats the only damage, only way I can think of is a flaw in the metal, or casting.